Students are Heartland Community College can be expected to pay more to attend classes next fall.
The college's Board of Trustees is set to consider a 4.6% tuition increase when it meets Tuesday night. The meeting will be gin at 6 p.m. at Heartland’s Community Commons Building.
Heartland staff said in meeting documents the increase will help the college prepare for uncertainty in tax revenue and state funding. Specifically, Heartland is unsure whether it will be eligible to issue an equity tax that would make it comparable with other community college boards in the state.
The tax is expected to bring an about $3.2 million this fiscal year, though the board has typically tried to avoid an increase in the total tax rate, said Steve Fast, assistant to the president, public information and communication.
“(The Heartland board) may have to move the budget line to not count on that specific revenue source, even though we may end up getting it,” Fast said.
The college also is seeking more revenue to cover salary increases and rising costs due to inflation.
If approved, Heartland's per-credit hour rate would increase $8, to $182. The increase would amount to $96 per semester for full-time students taking 12 credits.
The Heartland board is also expected to approve the renovation of space the college leases at Mid Central Community Action in Bloomington. The project is expected to cost $400,000. The building on West Washington Street will house Heartland's certificate programs in building maintenance and construction skills.