Recreation district measure likely defeated

An initiative to create a recreation district in the Sandpoint area appeared headed for overwhelming defeat Tuesday night.

With results from 1,879 voters in four of seven polling places, the measure had only about 8 percent support, according to Bonner County Auditor Marie Scott.

In addition to uncounted votes from three polling places, 1,400 absentee ballots remained uncounted late Tuesday, Scott said.

The district, which would cover the same territory as the Lake Pend Oreille School District, could levy a property tax up to 0.06 percent of assessed value – $60 a year on a $100,000 home. Based on current values, the maximum levy would be about $1.8 million a year, Scott said.

Directors of the district, who would be appointed by the governor , could impose a lower levy if they wished.

Supporters of the proposed district had hoped it would provide recreational amenities such as a community center with a swimming pool and an ice rink. The Sandpoint Centre Corp. gathered signatures to put the proposal on the ballot.

–John Craig

Boise

Governor boosts state savings to maximum

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne signed HB 409 on Tuesday, sending $70 million from the state surplus to the state’s savings account, the budget stabilization fund.

The money brings the fund to 5 percent of the state’s total budget, the maximum allowed.

“This is a very powerful fiscal tool,” Kempthorne said. “Many, many states wish that they could have 5 percent in a bank account.”

Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Sagle, praised the bill prior to the signing.

“Every family knows that saving for the rainy day is not something that’s at the top of the priority list but should be at the top of your priority list,” Broadsword said.

Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Co-Chair Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, said she’s comforted to know money is available for emergency situations.

– Meghann M. Cuniff

Construction to begin on Seltice Way bridge

Seltice Way is getting a new four-lane bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, so starting this week drivers will use a temporary bypass until construction is complete in the fall.

The $2.8 million project will include widening and resurfacing the section of Seltice Way between the bridge and the Northwest Boulevard intersection.

The bypass reroutes drivers south of the existing bridge, which was built in 1949 and was beyond repair, said Lynn Humphreys of the Post Falls Highway District.

The speed limit in the construction zone is 25 mph and violators will receive double fines, Humphreys said.

The new bridge will be 161 feet long and 63 feet wide, which allows for four lanes and a six-foot median. It is designed to handle the increase of traffic on Seltice Way.

In 1975, the bridge averaged between 4,000 and 5,000 crossings per day. In March, Humphreys said the number was about 11,700.

Combined, Coeur d’Alene and the highway district will pay about 7 percent of the total cost or about $200,000. The rest comes from federal highway funds.

– Erica Curless