Also on the ballot

Money measures

Spokane County is asking voters to pay more in sales tax – an increase of about 10 cents on a $100 purchase – for criminal justice and public safety.

The .1 percent raise in the sales tax would be expected to raise $6 million annually over the next five years.

Of that, about $3.6 million would go to the county, with the rest going to other cities and towns in Spokane County, based on population size. The city of Spokane would receive $1.5 million, for instance, and the city of Spokane Valley would get $637,000 a year.

Spokane Valley residents are being asked if they’re willing to raise property taxes to the level they were before the new city was incorporated.

Voters will decide whether to raise their property taxes by 21 cents per $1,000 of valuation to pay for street repairs – $21 a year for a $100,000 home. If 60 percent or more of voters approve it, the money will be used to improve streets when sewer lines are installed.

Since the levy was introduced late last month, some residents have expressed disappointment in the new city. Incorporation backers told the public two years ago that they would pay less for the same or better services if they voted to break off from the county.

The tax increase on the September ballot applies only to a specific use: repaving the full width of roads when sewer lines are installed in neighborhoods.

The city of Spokane is asking voters to reapprove a six-year property tax levy that helps pay for Spokane’s emergency medical response system. The cost is 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, or $50 on a $100,000 home in the first year of the levy. The cost declines slightly in each of the following five years because of state tax limits. The current levy expires at the end of this year. It needs a 60 percent yes vote to pass.

Spokane County Superior Court judges

Incumbent Sam Cozza is facing former City Councilman Steve Eugster in the race for the Position 6 seat. In Position 8, Harold Clarke, Gail Schwartz and Joe Valente are competing. Greg Sypolt and Michael Elston are vying for Position 11.

Running uncontested are the following incumbent judges: Robert D. Austin; Neal Rielly; Tari Eitzen; Kathleen O’Connor; Michael Price; Maryann Moreno; Jerome Leveque; Linda Tompkins; Ellen Clark.

Other state races

Most statewide incumbent officials face no primary challenge at all, though it’s possible that the race for state schools chief could be decided. Nonetheless, all nine statewide offices will appear on the Sept. 14 primary ballot.

A look at “down-ballot” races:

School superintendent. Six have signed up for this nonpartisan post. Two will advance to November unless someone wins outright by topping 50 percent in September. Candidates are incumbent Terry Bergeson, of Olympia; Judith Billings, of Puyallup; Juanita Doyon, of Spanaway; David Blomstrom, of Seattle; John Blair, of Vashon; and Kumroon Maksirisombat, of Seattle.

Lieutenant governor. Democratic incumbent Brad Owen of Shelton is unopposed, as is Libertarian candidate Jocelyn Langlois of Richland. Three Republicans will face off: Jim Wiest, of Olympia; Jim Nobles, of Seattle; and Scott Bonifield, of Federal Way.

Secretary of state. No primary contests.

Treasurer. No primaries.

Auditor. No primaries.

Land commissioner. No primaries.