Shea wins, WBCSD levy too close to call
In this screenshot of the county's election website, Bonner County officials wait for ballots to make their way to the Bonner County Admin building to be counted.
With almost all of the ballots counted, the West Bonner County School District levy was too close to call, behind by a close margin with several hundred absentee ballots yet to be counted.
The district has asked voters to approve a two-year levy seeking $4.7 million per year. The estimated annual cost to taxpayers would be $115.95 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value.
With most ballots counted by 11 p.m., the no votes narrowly edge the yes votes with 1,685 no votes, or 51.58%; compared to 1,582 yes votes, or 48.42%. The measure needed a simple majority to pass.
"We have 100 to 200 absentees we're counting," Bonner County Clerk Michael Rosedale told the Daily Bee. "It could change the levy outcome … will be a nail-biter."
Rosedale estimated it would be midnight before the results might be known.
In the race for the lone open seat on the East Bonner County Library District board, incumbent Susan Shea won reelection to the board with 4,390 votes, or 58.62%. Challenger Stacy Rodriguez had 3,099 votes, or 41.38%.
The seat is for a six-year term.
The Pend Oreille Hospital District race saw five candidates seeking the four seats up for vote in the election. Incumbents Bart Casey, Tim Cochran and James Frank are sought re-election; the trio were joined by Cynthia Busé and Dwayne Sheffler on the ballot.
In initial ballots counted, comprised of absentee and early voters, Sheffler had 4,440 votes, or 21.93%; Cochran had 4,394 votes, or 21.71%; Casey received 4,260 votes, or 21.04% votes; Frank received 3,970 votes, or 19.61%; and Busé received 3,179 votes, or 15.70%.
Each is for a six-year term.