Strongly suggests Valley should receive back about 35% of $80 million College annually spends rather than an estimated 13% it now receives; it’s time for an Administrative College
The newest population and business data strongly suggests that Yavapai Community College should invest much more annually in the Verde Valley than its current estimated $10 to $12 million dollars of its $80 million dollar budget.
The current Verde Valley population is reported by the Verde Valley Economic Development organization at 72,461, which is 31% of the total Yavapai County population. (A study used in January 2018 by the College put the east County population at 74,663, west County population at 145,776 and 12,296 other.) The Verde Valley also has 3,654 business establishments, which is 39.3% of all businesses in the County. All of the data was contained in the Verde Valley Economic Development Organization 2018-2023 Strategic Plan.
The residents and businesses all pay property taxes that are now the primary source of support for the Community College. Data has repeatedly shown a significant portion of those taxes is being used to develop programs and projects for the citizens on the west side of the County.
The Valley has many needs including a robust Career and Technical Education facility, student residence hall, expanded viticulture program with expanded labs, expanded culinary program and additional facilities, expanded nursing training facilities, sound stage to develop its film program, a small indoor performing arts facility to develop its performing arts curriculum, a robust music program, etc. It is very clear that only with an Administrative College, which will give the 72,461 residents some control over how their tax money is spent, will the Valley have any chance at developing and expanding any of these programs and the curriculum on the Verde Campus or at the Sedona Center.
