COEUR d'ALENE — Seven candidates seeking two Kootenai Hospital District seats, five open positions on the Kootenai County Water District 1 board, and four highway district races make a sometimes ho-hum May election more intriguing this year.

"We've got several contested races that should make things interesting," said Judd Wilson, Kootenai County's elections manager.

Friday was the deadline for candidates to file for the May 21 election to have their names on the ballot. The deadline to file as a write-in candidate is April 5 at 5 p.m. Taxing districts have until April 1 to submit language for bonds, levies and related ballot items.

Only contested races and levy or bond questions will appear on the ballot.

Here's a look at how the races are shaping up for now:

- Kootenai Hospital District — Seven candidates — Michael Armon, Steven Matheson, Randil Clark, Levi Wenglikowski, Cynthia Clark, Liz Godbehere and Jim Dutkiewicz — are seeking two trustee positions that have six-year terms. Armon is the lone candidate currently serving the district. The other seat up for election is that of Neil Nemec.

The top two candidates with the most votes will be elected.

Michela Seth, associate legal counsel for Kootenai Health, declined to speculate on what's fueling the interest for the seats.

- Community Library Network — Incumbent trustee Katie Blank is seeking re-election and hasn't drawn a challenger for her six-year-seat.

HIGHWAY DISTRICTS

- East Side — Incumbent Graham Christensen will be challenged by Lorna Casey-Kaiser and Dan Yake for Sub-District 1. Incumbent Mark Addington is being challenged by Jeff Hunter for Sub-District 3.

- Post Falls — Incumbent Lynn Humphreys will be challenged by Rocky Banks for Sub-District 3.

- Lakes — Incumbent Diane Fountain will be challenged by Scott "Scooter" Jordan for Sub-District 3. Weston "Monty" Montgomery hasn't drawn a challenger for Sub-District 2.

- Worley — Phil Cooper has not drawn an opponent for Sub-District 1. Incumbent George Miller has been the lone candidate to file for Sub-District 3.

All highway district terms are four years.

WATER/SEWER BOARDS

- Kootenai County Water District 1 (north of Wolf Lodge) — Six candidates — Loretta Zabka, J.D. Owen, Norm Milem, Claudia Gough, Damon Shaw and Lee Wheeler Jr. — have filed for five open seats to the five-member board.

Gough, Shaw and Wheeler were all appointed to the board after resignations from previous board members and now must file for election under law to retain their seats.

Zabka is seeking re-election.

"It's an unusual situation to have all five seats up for election," said Kinzo Mihara, the district attorney. "The board members, both past and present, have gone out of their way to navigate some complex legal situations regarding the seats and appointments."

The district is sorting how the terms of the seats will be staggered to be in compliance with Idaho law. It is also working with the Attorney General's Office and the elections department on how best to proceed to the election.

Tim Hurst, chief deputy for the Idaho Secretary of State Office, said a simple, common-sense solution that has been used in other elections is to have the election of two commissioners with a two-year term, one with a four-year term and two with six-year terms.

"At each biannual election after that, the commission seats would be for a six-year term," Hurst wrote in an email to The Press. "That would restore the staggered term as described in the water district law."

- Alpine Meadows — Glenda Horton was the lone candidate to file. Two seats are up for election.

- Bayview — Michael Lawrence Kendel and Calvin Nolan are seeking the No. 3 position on the board.

- Green Ferry — Carol Rassier (Seat 1), Stephen Tanner (2), Ronald Utz (3), Mary Cusack (4) and Robert Foster (5) — all incumbents — drew no opponents.

- Dry Acres — Incumbent Marv Meyer hasn't drawn a challenger.

- Hayden Lake Sewer — Incumbent Michael Clark and Jim Coleman filed for two open seats.

- Kingston-Cataldo Sewer — Bert Burkgart filed for the lone open seat.

- North Kootenai — Incumbent Thomas Crimmins did not draw a challenger for Seat 5.

At least two funding proposals will also be on the ballot.

The Timberlake Fire Protection District is proposing a permanent override levy proposal of up to $290,000.

Patrons living in a $200,000 home in the district, which serves Athol, Bayview, Chilco and surrounding areas, currently pay about $19 per month for coverage.

If the levy is approved with at least a two-thirds vote in support, those residents would see an increase of an estimated $5 per month, according to district officials.

The funds would be used to hire two firefighters, expedite the replacement process for three engines and facility upgrades that include adding living space at the Bayview station, improving a training room and a station roof repair.

The Bayview Water and Sewer District will float a bond proposal for water improvements after another measure failed last November.

The district, which includes 462 water hookups, is seeking water revenue bonds of up to $2.15 million for a new storage tank, transmission lines, distribution mains and maintenance projects.

If approved with a simple majority vote (50 percent, plus one), the bond would increase rates from $24 per month for the first 5,000 gallons to up to $40.

November's proposal was defeated with 112 voters (37 percent) in favor and 191 opposed.

The difference between the two proposals is that $500,000 for water meter replacements has been eliminated for the upcoming election.