Roettger answers levy questions

Superintendent of Lind-Ritzville schools, Rob Roettger, served as the guest speaker at the regular meeting of the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 11, to discuss the upcoming capital levy request on the general election ballot.

The two-year capital levy is for improvements to Jimmie Snider Field in the Ritzville School District with tax collection beginning in 2013. The proposed levy is $195,000 per year, with an estimated tax collection of $.66 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Roettger passed out a brochure that had been mailed to Ritzville residents during the previous week, outlining the proposed improvements and cost estimates for the project.

Before the surface for the all-weather track could be installed, surfacing and site work would have to be completed, Roettger explained. The site work is estimated to cost $302,500 and includes asphalt, excavation, rock, curbing, concrete work for pad and pit areas, equipment for field events and survey work.

The rubberized, red surface is an estimated $140,000 for the eight-lane track. Roettger described it as a “middle of the road surface,” with the cost based on the appearance and thickness of the material.

Roettger explained that with the installation of a new track, security is a priority and keeping vehicles off the surface is necessary. The fencing portion of the project would add to the existing fence with an estimated cost of $25,000.

The final portion of the improvements includes the installation of an underground sprinkler system on the football field. The sprinkler system is an estimated $40,000, but would eliminate hours spent by school personnel monitoring and moving the current sprinklers.

The estimated total of the project is $507,500 but will be reduced to $377,500 after a $130,000 donation by Project 56. Roettger said the school district plans to apply for grant money with the potential of receiving up to $50,000.

Roettger said that the initial plan was for Project 56 to fund the project, but after attending meetings and watching the price continually increase, he came forward with the idea of a levy.

“It’s going to take more than a private effort, and it’s time for a partnership,” Roettger realized.

Roettger said that if the levy is approved, the Project 56 committee plans to cut back on fundraisers and focus on a few events a year.

With proper drainage and installation of the track, Roettger estimates it will be 10-15 years before maintenance would need to be done to the surface. Living in a dry area is a benefit because it helps keep the track solid, Roettger added.

If the levy is approved, Roettger believes work could begin in the spring of 2014 but most likely it would be 2015 before track meets could be held in Ritzville.

With the installation of an eight-lane track, Ritzville would again have the opportunity to host large track meets, like the Undeberg Invitational. The school already owns all of the necessary timing equipment and sits in a central location, which is appealing to traveling teams.

The chamber voted unanimously to support the capital levy during a board meeting earlier this month. The two-year capital levy, if approved, would expire prior to the reauthorization of the school district’s maintenance and operation levy.

“I hope you’re always moving forward, and doing the best thing for the kids and the community,” Roettger said.

For more information about the capital levy, contact Roettger at 659-1660 or [email protected].