Trails Bond Issue Likely On Ballot

Sat., Sept. 11, 1999

Marny Lombard Staff Writer

Liberty Lake residents are likely to find a $650,000 bond issue on their November ballots to help build a trail system that would link neighborhood trails with the Centennial Trail.

County commissioners are expected next week to approve putting the bond issue to a vote.

The $650,000 would be matching money for grants, explained Lud Kramer, a member of the trial committee. Organizers estimate the trail system would cost about $2 million total. About 35 members of the trail committee at a Wednesday meeting unanimously approved posing the bond issue.

One element of the system will be a foot and bike bridge over Interstate 90. That portion of the project alone should be able to get a 70 percent match in federal grants, Kramer said.

A loop trail around the lake is also included.

An estimated 2,400 Liberty Lake voters will have their say on the proposal. The issue must attract at least 40 percent of the turnout for the last general election in order to be validated. It will take 60 percent voter support to approve the bond issue.

At $650,000, the bond issue will cost the owner of a $100,000 house $18 a year. It will be paid off in 15 years.

The transportation benefit district which makes possible this project is the first non-motorized transportation district in the state, Kramer said.

Anyone interested in helping with the bond issue campaign is asked to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the Liberty Lake Sewer District’s Denny Ashlock Building, 22510 E. Mission.

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