Adult Basic & Literacy Eduation Levy approved
The Adult Basic & Literacy Education Levy passed on a vote of 12,082 in favor of the levy versus 10,378 votes against it. The 1.5 mill levy that was approved will cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 an additional $2.03 per year in property taxes. The funds will support locally administered adult education services that provide direct instruction to adults who seek to earn a high school equivalency diploma and/or seek entrance into college or the workforce. The is no duration limit to the levy.
Florence Carlton School Bond approved
Because the Florence Carlton School District straddles the county line voters in both districts voted and narrowly approved the bond by a total vote of 1,546 to 1,494. It was a close vote on both sides of the county line. The $15,975,000 bond stretched over 20 years will pay the cost of expanding and improving the campus to address safety, space, accessibility, and building code concerns in part by building an addition that will house k-5th grade classrooms, associated administration spaces, a new commercial kitchen, dining/assembly space, band and choir rooms, a performing arts stage, and locker rooms. It also includes a health enhancement classroom, construction of a metal shop/maintenance facility, and other renovation and upgrading projects.
State Senate and Representative Districts
Senate District 43 – Republican Jason Ellsworth defeated Independent candidate Laura Garber by a vote of 6,891 to 4,210.
Representative District 85 – Republican Theresa Manzella defeated Democratic candidate Laura Jackson by a vote of 4,121 to 1,781.
Representative District 86 – Republican David Bedey beat Democratic candidate Jason Nickisch by a vote of 3,442 to 1,936.
Representative District 87 – Republican incumbent Nancy Ballance running unopposed garnered 4,308 votes.
Representative District 88 – Republican Sharon Greef defeated Democratic candidate Margaret Gorski by a vote of 3,605 to 2,099.
County Offices
Board of County Commissioners
District 1 – Republican incumbent Greg Chilcott beat Democratic candidate Lindsay Stover by a vote of 15,145 to 7,317.
District 2 – Republican Chris Hoffman, running unopposed, garnered 18,412 votes.
District 3 – Republican incumbent Jeff Burrows beat Democratic write-in candidate Marlin Ostrander 17,124 to 629.
Treasurer – Dan Whitesitt, running unopposed, garnered 18,256 votes.
Public Administrator – KC James Barret, a declared write-in candidate, garnered 22 votes.
County Attorney – Incumbent Bill Fulbright, running unopposed, garnered 17,526 votes.
Sheriff/Coroner – Sheriff Steve Holton, running unopposed, garnered 18,686 votes.
Justice of the Peace
District 1 – Running unopposed Jennifer Ray Bedey was elected on a vote of 16,669 to 3,079.
District 2 – Incumbent Jim Bailey beat Perry Johnson by a vote of 10,526 to 8,944.
Bitterroot Conservation District
Area 1 – Incumbent Bob Nelson defeated William Campbell by a vote of 8,281 to 7,435.
Area 3 – Incumbent Jeffrey Mark defeated Lee Foss by a vote of 10,158 to 7,141.
Area 5 – Chad Sutherlin, running unopposed, garnered 197 votes.