In a relatively low-profile election with no candidates for elected office on the ballot, Bonner County residents voted in favor of school funding and against fire agency budget expansions across the board.

Both West Bonner County School District and Lakeland Joint School District saw voters approve proposed two-year property tax levies that the districts say will help them support extra- and co-curricular programs, school resources and staff jobs. 

All four local fire districts that sought additional funding fell short of the two-thirds majority approval needed to pass. Spirit Lake Fire District’s proposal was defeated narrowly, with 64.5% of voters casting ballots in favor. The items brought forth by the Sagle, Northside and Westside districts surrounding Sandpoint each failed to receive 50% support. 

School district levies

West Bonner County School District’s proposed two-year, $2.35 million-per-year maintenance and operation levy was a subject of significant public interest leading up to the election. After three consecutive levy rejections in the past two years, 54.5% of 3,852 total voters approved the measure Tuesday, guaranteeing funding for student enrichment activities, school and classroom resources, staff jobs and other items. 

Prior to the election, district officials indicated that financial strain would force them to close the Idaho Hill and Priest Lake elementary schools if the levy fell short. 

During a school board meeting Wednesday, district staff and trustees acknowledged the reprieve that has come with the result and outlined their plans for the coming years.

“It’s definitely a sigh of relief that we have the funding to move forward for the next two years," board vice chair Margaret Hall said.

Hall also said that even in the wake of a successful levy, she recognized the importance of addressing the belief held by some community members that the district has not demonstrated fiscal responsibility in recent years.

“Hopefully, we can gain that trust back over the next couple of months," she said.

To the north, Boundary County School District voters approved a two-year, $1.2 million-per-year levy, with 68.6% of ballot casters supporting the measure. The total turnout — 3,116 voters — was the highest it’s been in an off-election year, with no presidential or midterm elections, since 2005. 

A small portion of Bonner County’s residents were eligible to cast ballots for Lakeland Joint School District’s two-year, $7.52 million-per-year supplemental levy, which passed with 66.8% support out of 8,365 total votes. 

In November 2024, the three districts were the only in Idaho to have supplemental levies rejected. Tuesday’s outcome secured a combined $22.1 million in funding over the next two academic years. 

Fire district levies

Sagle, Northside and Westside fire districts each proposed a levy override request that would permanently increase their budgets by 40%, 191% and 140%, respectively. Residents turned down each of the measures, with only 37.2%, 34.6% and 45.8% of voters casting ballots in support of the Sagle, Northside and Westside requests, respectively. 

Had the measures passed, the districts would have used the additional annual funding to maintain and expand staffing levels and ensure outlying stations remain crewed going forward. 

Jeff Armstrong, who heads all three districts, told residents in a public statement Wednesday that the agencies will continue to provide the best service they can with the resources they have. 

Armstrong wrote that in an effort to control spending, he will be examining staffing levels in the districts and will advise Sagle commissioners to remove paid staff from the district’s Careywood station by June 1 to ensure the agency maintains a sustainable budget. 

“We will need to find ways to adjust to the increased costs of operation, equipment, and maintenance,” he wrote. “Tough decisions lie ahead.” 

Voters in southern Bonner County were eligible to weigh in on a two-year, $477,000-per-year budget increase proposed by Spirit Lake Fire District commissioners. While the measure outperformed those of neighboring districts, the proposal fell short of the two-thirds majority required to pass. 

Had it been approved, the levy would have helped the district equip firefighters, maintain and increase staffing levels, and purchase and maintain vehicles and facilities. 

Other items

In Ponderay, voters approved a 12-year local option tax that will charge short-term lodging occupants a 10% tax within city limits. 

The tax will apply to hotel rooms, condominiums, bed and breakfast establishments and similar facilities that host visitors for fewer than 30 days. The measure replaces an existing 7% tax that was set to expire at the end of 2025; 79% of 114 total voters favored the item Tuesday. 

Ponderay officials have noted that the existing tax has generated about $360,000 per year since 2018, meaning the increased tax rate will likely yield additional revenue going forward. According to the city, lodging tax dollars support law enforcement, parks improvements, infrastructure work and community events. 

Following the election, Mayor Steve Geiger thanked voters for coming to the polls and emphasized that he believes the tax will provide strong value for residents and support a variety of initiatives for the public good. 

“These funds really go a long way,” he said. 

The final item on the ballot of some county residents, a proposal to permanently raise West Bonner Cemetery Maintenance District’s annual budget by $74,215, was denied, with 60.2% of 2,298 voters supporting the measure. 

The measure required a two-thirds majority to pass. The increase would have supported capital improvements and maintenance at Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River.