Voters to decide on transit sales tax

Today is election day for many voters in Spokane County and North Idaho. The issues range from school board elections in the Panhandle to a proposed sales-tax increase for the Spokane Transit Authority.

Voters in the Boundary County (Idaho) School District will go to the polls today to decide on a one-year, $985,000 maintenance and operations levy. Polls in the district’s schools will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

School districts in Lakeland, Lake Pend Oreille, West Bonner and Wallace are holding school board elections. Call district offices for polling times and places.

In Spokane County, the highest-profile issue is a proposed sales-tax increase of up to 0.3 percent – 3 cents on a $10 purchase – within the STA’s Public Transportation Benefit Area.

The tax would end in June 2009 unless reapproved by voters in 2008. To find out if you live within the transit benefit area, call the Spokane County elections office at (509) 477-2320.

Several school districts also have measures on the ballot today.

The West Valley School District is seeking $35 million in construction bonds to renovate the district’s high school, build additions to its four elementary schools and perform maintenance on its two middle schools.

Mead School District is asking voters to approve a $37.7 million bond issue to build an elementary school, replace Mead Middle School and renovate the Five Mile schoolhouse.

Nine Mile Falls School District is seeking $7.99 million in bonds to upgrade and make safety improvements at Nine Mile Falls Elementary School, Lake Spokane Elementary School and Lakeside High School.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For complete results, read Wednesday’s Spokesman-Review or visit www.spokesmanreview.com.