Voters to decide Lind bond, levy

With ballots sent out for the special election, voters are reminded to cast their vote and return ballots by Feb. 11 to be included in the election.

Lind voters are presented with two ballot measures this year, regarding a replacement Maintenance and Operation (M&O) levy and a 15-year general obligation bond.

As a replacement levy, the two-year M&O levy helps to cover the basic costs of operations at the school. The M&O levy begins collection in 2015, with the estimated dollar rate being $3.02 per thousand of assessed property value. The total two-year collection is set at $717,176.

After nearly six years of not having a bond on the ballot, Lind voters are being asked to cast their vote about a 15-year bond to cover the costs of major upgrades at the district schools.

Superintendent Rob Roettger explained the most important of the projects needing to be completed is the replacement of roofs on the Lind Elementary School, Lind-Ritzville Middle School and at the ag shop located within the district.

The 15-year bond is for collection of no more than $4 million, which accumulates an estimated $1.83 million in interest.

The majority of the funds are used for replacement of the roofs at the schools and ag shop, lighting upgrades and rooftop HVAC units at both schools, with a smaller portion of the funds budgeted for technological upgrades for the infrastructure and network, upgrades to the kitchens in both schools and improvements to doors within the district.

Roettger has spent the month of January meeting with Lind residents at public and organizational meetings to answer any questions and address any concerns citizens may have.

The list of projects is crucial to the safety of the students and ensuring the district schools are useable, Roettger explained.

The estimated amount per thousand for the M&O levy and the bond is expected to be $4.63, an amount similar to amount collected during the previous bond and M&O levy.

The school district places a replacement M&O levy on the ballot every two years.

All ballots must be returned to the Adams County Auditor’s Office by the Feb. 11 deadline to be included in the special election.

Individuals who have not received a ballot are asked to contact the Auditor’s Office for a replacement ballot at 659-3249.