Ballot includes requests from towns, park districts

The county elections office Tuesday reported 4,753 general election ballots have been mailed back from voters, which represents nearly one-fourth of ballots sent out. A total of 19,438 ballots were mailed out, including ballots that were re-issued because they were either lost in the mail or sent to a wrong address.

Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed last week predicted a statewide voter response of 51 percent.

In addition to state measures and political offices, eight towns or districts are asking residents to approve tax measures to fund operations.

Below is a list of what those six towns and local districts are requesting from their voters.

COLTON - The Colton city council is looking to raise a levy of $30,000 for their general town operations, and improvements of the town streets and water systems. This tax would take an estimated $1.25 or less per $1,000 of assessed value.

Endicott - Endicott is seeking approval of a special levy tax of $14,000 to collected in 2010 for general street work and maintenance. The tax would be taken at a rate of $1.34 per $1,000 assessed value.

The town is also asking for voter approval of a special levy of $7,000 to maintain town-owned parks. The tax would be levied at an approximate rate of 67 cents per $1,000 assessed value.

The park and recreation district is asking voters to approve a $20,000 levy at a rate of 42 cents per $1,000 assessed property value for general maintenance in 2010.

LACROSSE - The LaCrosse park and recreation district is asking voters for a special tax levy of $35,000 for operation and maintenance of the swimming pool. The tax would be collected in 2010 at a rate of 29 cents per $1,000 assessed value.

OAKESDALE - The Oakesdale park and recreation district is asking to impose a special levy tax for $67,000 to be collected in 2010 to operate, maintain and improve its recreational facilities. This tax would take an estimated 90 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

The Oakesdale city council is asking to impose a special levy tax for $20,000 for public safety to fund law enforcement and fire protection for the city, to be collected in 2010. This tax would take an estimated $1.32 or less, per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

The city is also asking for another special tax levy of $30,000 for street work, streetlights, street expenses and maintenance to be collected in 2010. This tax would take an estimated $1.98 or less, per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Palouse - The Palouse city council is asking for a levy of $40,000 to help fund street improvements and street oiling, to be collected in 2010. This tax would take an estimated 86 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

The city is asking for a levy of $26,000 to pay for the operation and maintenance of their city swimming pool. This tax would take an estimated 56 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

Tekoa - The Tekoa city council is asking for a levy in the amount of $50,000 for the operations and maintenance of their street department, to be collected in 2010. This tax would take an estimated $2.15 or less per $1,000 of assessed value.

The Tekoa park and recreation district is asking for a levy of $95,000 to upkeep and operate the Tekoa park and swimming pool. This tax would take an estimated $1.84 or less per $1,000 of assessed value.