McKinley County voters said yes to UNM-Gallup’s $8 million General Obligation bond issue on Tuesday, paving the way for the college to rehabilitate and replace some aging structures on the campus.
The measure passed 1138 to 875.
The improvements will include the following: rehabilitation of Gurley Hall, razing and replacing Lions’ Hall (current site for the college’s Community Education program), building a new childcare facility and building a new maintenance facility.
“We want to thank the voters of McKinley County for turning out in support of UNM-Gallup,” said Barry Cooney, interim executive director. “We knew that in the current economic climate, passage of the bond issue might be difficult. However, local voters clearly grasped how significant UNM-G’s contribution is to the local economy, and were willing to show their support for higher education in this community with their votes.”
College officials estimate that UNM-Gallup generates an estimated $20 million in the local community every year.
Cooney stressed that property owners may be assured their taxes will not rise with passage of the bond issue, due to the retirement of older bonds.
Other voting results pertaining to UNM-Gallup included the re-election of June Shack to Position 3 and Gloria Mae Skeet de Cruz to Position 2 on the UNM-Gallup Local Board.