Levy request will modernize school facility

A two-year capital levy for improvements to the Jimmie Snider Field complex will be on the ballot during the November general election – ballots will be mailed on Oct. 19.

If approved, the proposed capital improvement levy would assess a tax of $0.66 per thousand to taxpayers over a two-year period. The proposed levy would generate $195,000 per year for a two-year total of $390,000. The taxes would be collected during the 2013 and 2014 collection years and would be part of a two-year temporary tax.

What improvements will be made to Jimmie Snider Field? The improvements to the Jimmie Snider Field complex would include underground sprinklers on the football field and a section of the grounds on the south and east sides of the existing track, roughly 750 feet of new fencing would be added to the grounds in order to secure the track facility, and, finally, a new all-weather track surface would be installed.

In order to complete the track project there would also be a considerable amount of site work related to excavation, hauling and placement of gravel, creating the necessary slope for proper drainage, asphalt work, new curbing installed on the infield and outer edge of the track, and miscellaneous concrete work for the various pads and pits (long jump, high jump, discus, and shot put). Overall, a significant amount of the cost associated with the project will be related to the site work necessary to get the facility ready for a new all-weather surface.

What is the total cost of the project? How is Project 56 involved? The total cost of the proposed project is $507,500. As mentioned, the proposed two-year levy would generate $390,000. However, a local community group, Project 56, has been active for a number of years raising money with the hope of completing the all-weather track project. At this time, Project 56, through the generous work and support of many volunteers and the community, has donated $130,000 to the proposed project. The combination of the capital levy and the donation from Project 56 would generate $520,000, thus creating a small cushion for the possibility of increased costs associated with the materials necessary to complete the project.

Will both districts fund the upgrades to Jimmie Snider Field? Although we have a cooperative school system, and there are students from both districts in the high school in Ritzville and the middle school in Lind, any proposed capital levies or bonds to upgrade facilities in either district would be the sole responsibility of each individual community. For example, if a capital levy or bond for improvements to the middle school facility in Lind were ever proposed, the Lind community and voters would make the decision and would pay any new taxes. Conversely, the proposed improvements to Jimmie Snider Field will be decided by, and, if approved, paid for by the Ritzville voters and community.

Within the next week the Ritzville School District will mail out an information flier related to the proposed capital levy. Any community members who have questions related to the proposed capital levy may contact superintendent Rob Roettger at [email protected] or at 509-659-1660.