Levy failures shouldn't surprise anyone

Kootenai and Shoshone voters were not in the mood for levies on Election Day.

Well, to be more accurate, they were in the mood to say no.

We must ask why, but before we do, let's recap.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue's $6 million permanent levy override failed at the polls Tuesday, receiving 5,971 yes votes, 62%, to 3,697 no votes, 38%. It required two-thirds voter approval to pass. The permanent measure would have cost taxpayers about $43.58 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year, which means a home with a taxable value of $400,000 would have seen a yearly tax increase of about $175, a little less than $15 a month.

Shoshone County voters rejected two levies Tuesday.

One was Shoshone County’s $2 million Law Enforcement Temporary Levy, which failed with 1,731 votes, 56%, against and 1,364 in favor. Without those funds, the sheriff's office is looking at budget cuts that could total up to $1 million. 

The Kellogg School District’s $7 million supplemental levy failed, with 978 votes against and 841 in favor. In the coming weeks, trustees and district leadership will review the election results and determine next steps. 

Back to the issue at hand and some Monday morning quarterbacking: What happened here? Why were levies in support of a fire district, a sheriff's office and a school district defeated? Aren't they all deserving of necessary money to operate efficiently? Why didn't they have stronger support?

Here's what we think. 

Voters are weary. 

They are uneasy. 

They are tired of being asked for money.

They are not sure about the direction of this country.

When people are fearful of what may happen, what the future might hold, they tend to circle the wagons and hunker down at home. It's about self-preservation.

And finally, those behind the levies could have done a better job informing voters of why they are deserving of their tax dollars. Campaign as if their livelihoods depended on the success of these levies. And in some instances, that is likely the case.

For the most part, residents in North Idaho are generous and supportive of schools, fire districts and law enforcement. They are almost always willing to give more, even if it means they go without. We are blown away by the giving nature of those who live here.

But at this time, in the current climate of political divide, a government shutdown and our own troubles at home, enough voters turned thumbs down on these levies. No big surprise.

We are confident, though, that once the government reopens, when people are not holding their breath, such is their anxiety and worry, these same levies will garner the support they deserve.