Allen's Collin College Technical Campus would gain new classroom and lab space, along with expanded automotive and diesel technology facilities, if voters approve a $600 million bond on Nov. 3.
Enrollment at the Allen campus, at 2550 Bending Branch Way, has jumped 56% over the past five years, Community Impact Newspaper first reported Wednesday, Sept. 30. The single proposition, called Proposition A, would fund the second and third phases of Collin College's Destination 2030 master plan, adopted in 2023.
The Allen Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously in a Sept. 10 endorsement to back the bond. The Chamber identified the local project as the Allen Technical Campus Workforce & Academic Building.
What the bond means for Allen
The Allen campus renovations would add classroom and lab capacity. They would also expand space for automotive technology programs, diesel technology programs and automotive specialty programs, according to the college's bond plan.
The $600 million package also covers expansions at campuses in McKinney, Frisco, Wylie, Farmersville and Plano. New campuses in Anna and Royse City and an Aviation Academy at McKinney National Airport are also included.
Districtwide, Collin College's credit enrollment has grown more than 31% over the past decade. The college serves more than 62,000 credit and continuing education students annually.
Why the ballot says 'tax rate increase'
Collin College District President Neil Matkin told Community Impact the college's property tax rate is expected to stay the same if the bond passes. The rate has held at $0.081220 per $100 valuation since 2022, according to Community Impact's report on the Aug. 25 board meeting. That is the third-lowest community college tax rate in Texas.
For a home at the 2026 Collin County average of $592,948, the annual Collin College tax bill is $481.59.
Still, voters will see Proposition A listed as a property tax increase on the ballot. State law requires that language even when the actual rate stays flat.
Josh Sanderson, executive director of the Equity Center, an Austin-based nonprofit representing school districts, explained the requirement to Community Impact. "You're supposed to set a tax rate that generates enough revenue for the year for you to pay your bonded debt back," Sanderson said.
Matkin told the outlet most projects from Collin College's previous bond, approved in 2017, were completed under budget. He said the college will not sell more bonds unless it can repay them without raising the rate.
Voter information
The Collin College Board of Trustees unanimously approved calling the election during its Aug. 7 meeting. Key dates for Allen voters:
- Voter registration deadline: Monday, Oct. 5
- Early voting: Oct. 19–30
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Allen residents can vote at Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Drive, or the Allen ISD Service Center, 1451 N. Watters Road. The library is a new voting location this year. The prior site at Allen Municipal Court is unavailable because of construction on the new Allen Police Headquarters.
If voters reject the bond, Matkin said the college would continue at current capacity and seek alternative financing.
