Clinton Township Voters Join County in Rejecting MCC's $56-Million Bond Proposal

Joining the 52.9 percent of Macomb County residents who rejected Macomb Community College's $56-million bond proposal Tuesday were 22,022 Clinton Township voters.

Home to MCC's Center Campus, the proposal did have significant support in Clinton Township, but ultimately failed by a margin of just 1,775 votes. A total of 47,885 Clinton Township residents weighed in on this proposal at the polls.

“We’re obviously disappointed in the results of the election,” said Dr. James Jacobs, Macomb Community College president, in a prepared statement. “But we also understand the longstanding economic challenges that Macomb County residents are still weathering, which we suspect may have factored into reluctance to fund even a very small tax increase with a short time limit."

The proposal asked Macomb County voters to authorize up to $56 million in bond sales to preserve and update the college’s facilities and technology. Per the proposal, the bonds were to be sold in a series to cover the expense of renovating and updating the college's infrastructure and technology.

As much of the college was built more than four decades ago, MCC officials have said significant renovations are needed to make necessary technology upgrades, increase accessibility as mandated by current standards, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, and improve building operational efficiency through modern heating and cooling, plumbing and lighting systems.

Although the proposal failed, Jacobs said, "Macomb is committed to providing meaningful career training and transfer opportunities, and we will continue to do the best with the resources we have."

Macomb Community College’s Board of Trustees, which includes recently re-elected Joseph DeSantis and Roseanne DiMaria, as well as newly elected Frank Cusumano, will evaluate the results of the election and determine any necessary next steps.