Post Falls voters consider levy

POST FALLS - Post Falls voters will be asked to consider a supplemental school levy amount of $2.615 million per year for two years today.

The funding, which will supplement the state's appropriation, will increase taxes by $12 per year for the owner of a $184,000 home.

A vote of at least 50 percent is needed for the proposal to pass.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters will need to go to their regular precincts - not at schools as in previous years - due to the county conducting the election as mandated in a new state law.

If you're unsure of where to vote, visit www.sd273.com or www.kcgov.us (click on "elections") or call 446-1030.

The levy attracted 273 absentee votes.

Post Falls, like most districts, has had to ask voters to supplement the state's appropriation with a levy for at least the past 25 years. The money has been used to prop up technology, curriculum, maintenance and other programs.

However, this is the first time in more than a decade that the district has proposed an amount that would raise taxes.

Post Falls' existing levy of $1.735 million per year for two years expires at the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

District officials said the proposed levy amount is based on being able to continue to provide quality education programs without hitting taxpayers too hard during the recession.

The district's budget has been cut by $3 million over the past two years - from $29.6 million in 2009 to $26.6 million this year. As a result, across-the-board cuts occurred.

The district will also see a reduction of $880,000 in federal funds going in to the next budget cycle. The funds supported salaries for several certified and non-certified employees.

The district has not added positions or increased salaries during the recession.

Lakeland is not floating a supplemental proposal as it's in the middle of its two-year levy.