Voters to consider school levies in special election

RITZVILLE – Ballots were mailed Jan. 21 in advance of the Feb. 8 special election, when voters will decide a number of school district levies.

Voters in the Ritzville School District have two levies to consider.

The first levy replaces an expiring levy on all taxable property in the District, for support of educational programs and operations expenses not funded by the state.

The levy amount is for $914,000 per year to be collected in 2023 and 2024 at an estimated rate of $2.25 per $1,000 in assessed property valuation.

The second levy also replaces an expiring capital levy for educational technology improvements. The levy amount is for $25,000 per year at an estimated rate of $0.06 per $1,000 in assessed property valuation.

If approved by voters, the capital levy allows the district to purchase and install teacher and student technology devices and infrastructure to improve student access to technology.

In the Lind School District, voters also have a replacement levy for support of educational programs and operational expenses, and a replacement capital levy for educational technology improvements.

Both levies are for collection in 2023 and 2024.

The Lind educational programs and operation levy, for support of expenses not funded by the state, is for $545,000 per year at an estimated $1.50 per $1,000 in assessed property valuation in the district. The capital levy for educational technology improvements is for $50,000 per year at an estimated rate of $0.14 per $1,000 in assessed property valuation.

If approved by voters, the capital levy allows the district to purchase and install teacher and student technology devices and infrastructure to improve student access to technology in Lind schools.

In Washtucna, voters have a replacement levy for educational programs and operations to consider. The Washtucna levy replaces an expiring levy, and is for collection over a four-year period from 2023 thru 2026.

The levy amount is $150,000 per year, with slightly decreasing levy rates over the four-year term.

In 2023 the rate is estimated at $2.44 per $1,000 in assessed property valuation. In 2024, the rate drops to $2.39, then to $2.37 in 2025 and finally $2.35 per $1,000 in assessed property valuation in 2026.

The levy funds are for support of educational programs and operational expenses not funded by the state.

Adams County Auditor Heidi Hunt asks voters to vote and return ballots as early as possible. Ballots must be postmarked no later than Feb. 8, 2022.

To ensure timely delivery ballots should be mailed the week before Election Day. Ballots can also be dropped off at one of the drop box locations: Adams County Auditor’s Office, 210 W. Broadway, Ritzville; Ritzville City Hall, 216 W. Main Ave. Ritzville; and at Lind Town Hall, 116½ W. Second St., Lind.

In Washtucna, ballots can be dropped off at the Town Hall, 165 S. Main St.