SANDPOINT — Fewer than three weeks remain until voters will determine the outcome of Bonner County’s May 20 consolidated election. 

While no candidates for elected office will appear on the ballot, voters in subsects of the county will choose whether to approve or deny a collection of levy requests and tax proposals brought forth by local fire departments, school districts and other entities.

To make their voices heard, registered voters can request an absentee ballot until 5 p.m. May 9 or vote early at the Bonner County Administration Building Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., May 5-16. 

Residents may also vote at their local polling place 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on election day, May 20. Not all polling places in the county will be open because not all precincts have issues on the ballot. 

Ponderay local option tax 

Residents of Ponderay will have an opportunity to determine the outcome of a proposed 12-year local option non-property tax. 

If the ballot question passes, Ponderay will impose a 10% hotel/motel room occupancy tax on all rentals shorter than 30 days; tax revenue would go toward road work, public safety services, land acquisition, public transportation, public education, grant matching contributions, property tax relief and administration and legal expenses. 

West Bonner County School District levy 

The board of trustees of West Bonner County School District is proposing a two-year, $2.35 million-per-year maintenance and operation levy for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. 

The estimated average annual cost to taxpayers would be $43.41 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. A resident with $500,000 in property would pay about $217 each year if the measure is approved. 

According to the ballot question, funds generated through the proposed levy would go toward student enrichment activities, school and classroom resources, additional classes, funding for staff jobs, school operating expenses, bus acquisition, school health services and the district’s contingency fund. 

Lakeland School District levy 

Trustees in Lakeland Joint School District are proposing a two-year, $7.52 million-per-year supplemental levy for the next two school years. 

Taxpayers would pay $82.37 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value annually. A resident with $500,000 in property would contribute about $412 each year if the measure is approved. 

Funds generated through the levy would support co-curricular and athletic activities, athletics, security personnel, transportation, access to a technical education center, teacher positions and an elementary-level advanced learning program. 

The district would also use levy funds to maintain eight certified elementary specialists, 10 library personnel and the district’s nursing and alternative middle school programs. 

Northside Fire District levy 

The commissioners of Northside Fire District, an agency that provides emergency response services in northern Bonner County, are proposing a permanent budget increase. 

The $1.25 million annual budget expansion would be supported by a $41 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value increase for residents. If approved, property owners would pay $61 per $100,000 of property annually. A resident with $500,000 in assessed value would pay about $305 each year if the measure is approved, up from the approximately $100 per year they currently pay. 

According to ballot language, levy funds would go toward staff, equipment and maintenance within the fire district, and would support paid staffing at the Samuels Fire Station at the north end of the area. 

Westside Fire District levy 

Westside Fire Protection District’s board of commissioners is proposing a permanent $810,358 annual budget increase. 

The expansion would come with a $71 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value increase for residents. If the measure passes, property owners would pay $122 per $100,000 of property annually. A resident with $500,000 in assessed value would pay about $610 each year if the measure is approved, up from the approximately $255 per year they currently pay. 

According to the district, the budget expansion would be used to increase its number of full-time firefighters/EMTs from three to nine and help the district maintain operations. 

Sagle Fire District levy 

The commissioners of Sagle Fire Protection District, which operates in southern Bonner County, are proposing a permanent budget increase. 

The $750,000 annual budget expansion would be supported by a $34 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value increase for residents. If approved, property owners would pay $122 per $100,000 of property annually. A resident with $500,000 in assessed value would pay approximately $610 each year if the measure is approved, up from the approximately $440 per year they currently pay. 

Levy funds, the district said, would go toward obtaining staff, equipping personnel and providing a minimum level of staffing at the district’s Careywood station. 

Spirit Lake Fire District levy 

Spirit Lake Fire Protection District’s board of commissioners is proposing a two-year, $477,000-per-year budget increase. 

The temporary increase would be supported by an annual tax of $24.66 per $100,000 of property. If voters approve the measure, a resident with $500,000 of property would pay about $123 per year. 

According to the district, the temporary budget expansion would allow the agency to maintain and increase staffing, maintain operations and purchase and maintain vehicles and facilities. 

West Bonner Cemetery levy 

West Bonner Cemetery Maintenance District is seeking to permanently increase its base annual budget by $74,215. 

Residents currently pay about $2.38 per $100,000 of taxable property value each year. If the levy is approved, that amount will go up to $4 per $100,000 of property. 

According to ballot language, the increase would provide for the capital improvement and maintenance needs of the Evergreen Cemetery in the city of Priest River.