Levy Election Will Be March 14

Thu., Jan. 27, 2000

By Wendy Harris wendyh@spokesman.com

Spokane voters will be asked March 14 to approve a $122.6 million, three-year levy to support Spokane schools.

Earlier this month Spokane School District 81 board members set the levy election.

The replacement levy, which would support ongoing programs and teacher salaries, would not increase taxes. Rather, residents’ tax rates are projected to stay the same for one year and then dip slightly.

Under the proposed levy rate, property owners will continue paying $3.99 per $1,000 of assessed valuation through 2001, or $399 a year for a $100,000 home. The rate is projected to dip to $3.96 per $1,000 in 2002 and to $3.86 in 2003.

The levy rate assumes the Legislature will continue paying its 12 percent portion of District 81’s levy dollars.

Voters will be asked to approve a rate that is about 30 cents higher per $1,000, as an “insurance policy” in case the state reduces its share of levy dollars.

However, it is very unlikely property owners will pay the extra rate, district officials have said.

Voters last approved a $73.7 million two-year levy in February 1998, and it carries the district through the end of this year.

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