Hockinson voters approve four-year replacement levy; Vancouver voters approve funding for Vancouver Fire Department
Three out of four requests for funding from area school districts were failing approval by voters in the first results of the Feb. 8 special election released by the Clark County Elections Department Tuesday evening.
Voters in the Evergreen School District were decisively rejecting a three-year replacement levy that would provide funding for educational programs and operations. The levy, which required approval of a simple majority of voters, received just 40.61 percent approval and 59.39 percent of the voters were opposed.
In the Ridgefield School District, voters were asked to consider a $62.5 million bond to fund expansion and construction projects. As of Tuesday night, 57.31 percent of the voters supported the bond (42.69 percent were against), which falls short of the 60 percent needed for passage.
Voters in the La Center School District were rejecting a three-year replacement levy to continue funding current educational programs and operations. The initial returns showed 45.78 percent of voters approving the levy and 54.22 percent rejecting it.
Voters in the Hockinson School District appear to have passed a four-year replacement levy for school programs and operations. The early returns showed 52.10 percent of voters were approving the levy, which needed just a simple majority for approval.
Here is a closer look at the requests for funding by the four area school districts:
Evergreen School District
The Board of Directors of Evergreen School District adopted Resolution No. 6578 concerning renewal of an expiring levy for educational programs and operations. This proposition would have provided funding for programs and expenses not funded by the state. If approved, Proposition No. 5 would have authorized the district to levy the following excess taxes, on all taxable property within the district.
In 2023, the estimated levy rate is $1.92 per $1,000 of assessed value and the total collected would be $48.5 million. The levy rate increases to $2.12 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2024 ($56.9 million collected) and 2025 ($59.7 million collected).
This proposition would authorize the Evergreen School District to replace an expiring educational programs and operations levy. The taxes collected by this three-year levy would continue to fund existing educational programs and operations including staff to reduce class sizes, safety programs, security staff, school nurses and counselors, performing arts, field trips, athletic and extracurricular activities, and local support to bridge funding gaps in Special Education, English Language Learners, Highly Capable and Transportation programs. The educational programs and operations levy provides approximately 12 percent of the district’s General Fund budget.
Additional information is available at https://www.evergreenps.org.
Hockinson School District
The Board of Directors of Hockinson School District adopted Resolution No. 21-22-02, concerning a proposition to continue funding current school programs and operations.
This proposition would authorize the district to levy the following excess taxes, replacing an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the district, for school programs and operations expenses not funded by the state (including extracurricular activities, athletics, technology, advanced courses, music, nursing, transportation, special education and student safety).
The estimated levy rate in each of the four years is $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value. The total levy amount to be collected in 2023 is $4.075 million followed by $4.3 million in 2024, $4.525 million in 2025 and $4.775 million in 2026.
This proposition authorizes Hockinson School District to replace an expiring school programs and operations levy. The taxes collected by this levy will continue funding current school programs and operations including extracurricular activities, athletics, technology, advanced courses, music, theater, nursing, transportation, special education and student safety.
Further information is available: https://www.hocksd.org. Taxes collected by the proposed levy, together with state levy equalization money that is contingent upon passage of the levy, will provide approximately 10 percent of the district’s General Fund budget. Exemptions from taxes may be available, call Clark County Assessor (564) 397-2391.
La Center School District
The Board of Directors of La Center School District adopted Resolution No. 2021/2022-1, concerning a proposition to continue funding current educational programs and operations. This proposition would have authorized the district to levy the following excess taxes, replacing an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the district, for educational programs and operations expenses not funded by the state (including technology, advanced courses, athletics, extracurricular activities, music, nursing, transportation, special education and student safety).
In all three years, the estimated levy rate would be $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. In 2023, $2,635,172 would be collected followed by $2,819,501 in 2024 and $3,016,734 in 2025.
The taxes collected by this levy would continue funding current educational programs and operations including technology, advanced courses, athletics, extracurricular activities, music, nursing, transportation, special education and student safety.
Further information is available at https://www.lacenterschools.org/. Taxes collected by the proposed levy, together with state levy equalization money that is contingent upon passage of the levy, will provide approximately 10.4 percent of the district’s General Fund budget. Exemptions from taxes may be available, call Clark County Assessor (564) 397-2391.
Ridgefield School District
The Board of Directors of Ridgefield School District approved Resolution No. 2021-2022-003 concerning this proposition for bonds.
This proposition would authorize the district to construct and equip a new elementary school and 8-plex classroom building at the new school site, and a new vocational and general education building at Ridgefield High School, by issuing $62,565,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 21 years; and to levy excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as described in Resolution No. 2021-2022-003.
Proposition No. 7 would authorize the district to issue up to $62,565,000 of general obligation bonds to construct and equip a new K-4 elementary school, which will initially open as a K-6 school, an 8-plex classroom building at the new elementary school site, and an approximately 18,000 square foot vocational/general education building at Ridgefield High School.
The district expected to receive approximately $9,700,000 in state matching funds for the projects. If approved, the district would be authorized to levy property taxes annually to repay the bonds.
Vancouver Proposition 2
Voters in the city of Vancouver appear to have approved a levy lid lift that is designed to produce $15 million annually in additional funding for the Vancouver Fire Department. The first results showed it passing with 52.73 percent approval.
If approved, the proposition would authorize an increase to the city’s regular property tax levy by $0.50/$1,000 assessed valuation, not to exceed a total rate of $2.56/$1,000 for collection in 2023. Increased revenues would fund additional personnel to improve response times, equipment, the replacement and seismic retrofitting of fire stations, and other enhancements to fire and emergency services. The 2023 levy amount would be used to calculate subsequent levies. Qualifying seniors, veterans and others would be exempt.
wpDiscuz
