Shea wins; WBCSD levy fails

The West Bonner County School District levy was turned down by voters Tuesday, losing by just over 100 votes.

The district has asked voters to approve a two-year levy seeking $4.7 million per year. The estimated annual cost to taxpayers would have been $115.95 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value.

The measure received 1,700 no votes, or 51.59%, compared to 1,595 yes votes, or 48.41%. The measure needed a simple majority to pass.

With all but about 150 absentee ballots counted by 11 p.m., it was just after midnight before those ballots were checked for signatures and counted. While the measure gained a few votes, it wasn't enough for a majority — or for it to be approved.

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 4,514 votes, or 59%. Challenger Stacy Rodriguez had 3,137 votes, or 41%.

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.

Sheffler had 4,573 votes, or 21.99%; Cochran had 4,527, or 21.76%; Casey received 4,383, or 21.07%; Frank received 4,097 votes, or 19.70%; and Busé received 3,220, or 15.48%.

Each is for a six-year term.

The Lakeland Joint School District 272, which includes a small portion of Bonner County, has two measures on the ballot.

The first is a school plant facilities reserve fund levy seeking up to $1,146,520 per year for two years to maintain and repair existing schools.

In Bonner County, the plant facilities measure had 20 yes votes and 19 no votes, while in Kootenai County, the measure received 5,313 yes votes, or 55.21%; and 4,310 no votes, or 44.79%, in Kootenai County.

The combined yes votes totaled 5,333 in favor, or 55.19%; and the combined no votes totaled 4,329 against, or 44.8%.

The measure needed 55% approval to pass.

In the other ballot measure, the district reran a supplemental levy for $9.5 million per year for two years. The levy would cost an estimated $106 per $100,000 of assessed value.

In Bonner County, the measure received 24 no votes, or 61.54%; and 15 yes votes, or 38.46%. In Kootenai County, the measure received 5,194 yes votes, or 54.23%, and 4,384 no votes, or 45.77%.

The combined yes votes totaled 5,209 or 54.16%; and the combined no votes totaled 4,408, or 45.84%.

The measure needed a simple majority to pass.

While turnout appeared to be lighter on the county's east side, Rosedale said based on several conversations, turnout appeared to be much stronger on the county's west side.

That is likely due to the West Bonner County School District's proposed levy, Rosedale said.

There are 31,415 registered voters in Bonner County.

Information: bit.ly/BonnerCountyElections