All but one school levy approved
Feb. 14—It appears all but one of Whitman County school levies were approved in special elections.
The Whitman County auditor began processing ballots Tuesday. Whitman County has 20,750 registered voters, and the turnout was around 28.58%. About 5,930 ballots were tallied with an estimated 350 left to count. Election results will be certified on Feb. 23.
Pullman
The Pullman School District's replacement school support levy for educational enrichment programs and operations is winning with 2,441 approving votes to 853 disapproving. The levy would provide $6.3 million annually for four years. Homeowners would pay $222 in 2025, $218 in 2026, $214 in 2027 and $210 in 2028 per $100,000 in assessed home value.
Its levy for replacement technology capital projects looks to be approved with 2,581 yes votes to 715 no. The proposition would generate $300,000 annually over a four-year period. Property owners would have to pay $11 each year from 2025-2028 per $100,000 in assessed home value.
Cheney
Cheney School District has a small portion of voters in Whitman County. Whitman County Auditor Sandy Jamison said there are only seven constituents in that area; the rest reside in Spokane County.
Its educational programs and operations levy is winning with 3 approving votes to 1 disapproving. The levy would provide $16.1 million in 2025, $17.1 million in 2026 and $17.9 million in 2027. Property owners would pay $197 per $100,000 in assessed home value from 2025-2027.
The capital levy for technology, security and infrastructure improvements was unanimously rejected with four disapproving votes. The proposition would provide $740,000 in 2025, $780,000 in 2026 and $820,000 in 2027. Homeowners would pay $9 per $100,000 in assessed home value.
Its $72 million bond to construct a new elementary school in Airway Heights along with other upgrades is tied with two yes and no votes.The bond would be repaid from annual excess property taxes not exceeding 21 years. Homeowners would pay $53 per $100,000 of assessed home value, or $225 per year for a $425,000 home.
Colfax
Colfax School District's replacement education programs and operation levy is passing with 593 approving votes to 289 disapproving. It would provide about $1.1 million in 2025 and $1.14 million in 2026 if approved. Property owners would pay $214 in 2025 and $217 in 2026 per $100,000 in assessed home value.
View all propositions on the Whitman County special election ballot by visiting whitmancounty.org/167/Auditor.
Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com
