A $121 million bond measure for building improvements at Citrus College could be brought before voters as early as next spring.

The measure, still in the planning stages, would be the first time since 1962 that the college has asked taxpayers to fund building improvements, according to Carol Horton, vice president of finance and administrative services for the college.

College officials say they want to build:

A new student services center, which would consolidate the financial aid, transfer, career and admissions and records offices into one central location.

A high-tech learning center with a multimedia center, so instructors can prepare courses using different types of technology.

A new vocational technical building.

Before any of that happens, the board of trustees will consider a study by consultant Ariane Lehew of School Advisers in Rancho Cucamonga. The board hired Lehew on Tuesday at a cost of $27,000.

The study will cover existing building conditions, building community awareness about the college and the feasibility of the bond measure.

A public opinion survey of more than 600 residents conducted by Gene Bregman & Associates concluded that a bond measure would be favorable. The measure would impact property owners in Azusa, Claremont, Duarte, Glendora and Monrovia.

More than 55 percent of those surveyed said they would support an average tax rate increase of $25 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. Sixty-four percent of those surveyed supported a bond with a $20 tax rate increase, while 67 percent supported a $15 increase.

Officials said the exact cost of both the measure and the impact on taxes is not known at this time.

According to the college's master plan for facilities, all of the needed improvements are estimated to cost $121 million.

"But these figures are very loose,' Horton said. "It could go up or down.'

College spokeswoman Michelle Small said the board will evaluate the consultant's study, then vote in November or December on whether to bring the measure before voters.

"If the board approves it, we are probably looking at March of 2004,' Small said.

Horton said new requirements for community college bond measures call for local contributions. Because of the state budget crisis, colleges do not have the money to pay for part of the cost, she added.

Since the early 1990s, the college has undergone about $40 million worth of building improvements. All of those were entirely funded by the state, officials said.

Improvements already made include a new swimming pool and complex, diesel technology center, life science building, library, adaptive physical fitness center, infant center for child care, and a recording arts studio, along with improvements to the interior of the physical science building and the cosmetology department.