College of the Desert accepting applications for Citizens Bond Oversight Committee

College of the Desert is a public community college in Palm Desert, Calif.
College of the Desert is a public community college in Palm Desert, Calif.

The College of the Desert is accepting applications to fill multiple seats on its seven-member Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. One seat is reserved for an applicant who must be active in a local taxpayers' association. Another is for a community member who resides in the eastern portion of the Coachella Valley. A third seat will be filled by an enrolled student.

The committee is required by state law to ensure that nearly $1 billion of bond monies raised by the college since 2004 are spent solely on land acquisition, construction and equipment and that no money goes to salaries or pay increases. The committee meets quarterly and produces an annual audit of bond expenditures.

According to the college's most recent monthly bond report released on Nov. 11, $510 million of bond monies remain budgeted while $470 million have been spent.

In 2004, Coachella Valley voters approved Measure B, a $346.5 million bond to renovate and expand College of the Desert. Twelve years later, voters approved Measure CC, a $577.8 million bond to modernize career training facilities and construct classrooms. At the time, the school's administration and "Yes on CC" campaign fliers told voters that a large portion of Measure CC money would be used to build a new West Valley Campus.

A mailer sent in 2016 urged Palm Springs residents to "Vote YES on Measure CC to revitalize the Palm Springs Mall site & complete the West Valley Campus!"
A mailer sent in 2016 urged Palm Springs residents to "Vote YES on Measure CC to revitalize the Palm Springs Mall site & complete the West Valley Campus!"

Recently, the college's management of Measure CC funds has come under scrutiny from west valley representatives after COD Superintendent/President Martha Garcia cited cost overruns as her reason to cancel plans for an automotive campus in Cathedral City in October. City officials say they were not consulted about any change of plans.

In November, Garcia declined to say whether a Palm Springs campus would be built to the same scope as promised to voters in 2016. However, she did say a campus would be built in the city.

Palm Springs Mayor Christy Holstege said she questioned the strength of Garcia's commitment. Holstege led the Palm Springs City Council to formally request documents from the college related to bond construction projects.

According to state law, Garcia will review applications to the oversight committee and recommend candidates to the college's board of trustees, which will ultimately make the final decision regarding appointees.

Appointees will serve a two-year term renewable for a total of three terms. Committee members are not compensated.

Current members of the board include:

  • Margie Eklund, senior citizen group representative

  • Andrew Harker, West Valley representative

  • Diane Rubin, college support organization representative

  • Becky Broughton, business representative

  • Maria Cuautle, student representative (seat expires)

  • Steven Bayard, East Valley representative (seat expires)

  • Taxpayers' association representative (vacant)

Applications are available online at: https://www.collegeofthedesert.edu/community/facility-plan/committee-member-applications.php.

Applications must be mailed and received by 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 to the Office of the President, Desert Community College District, 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260.

Jonathan Horwitz covers education for The Desert Sun. Reach him at jonathan.horwitz@desertsun.com or @Writes_Jonathan.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: COD accepting applications for Citizens Bond Oversight Committee