Residents approve levies above legal cap

In a landmark election, Whitman County voters approved levies violating the state’s legal limit, continuing a precedent set by other school districts.

School districts in Oakesdale and Colton each asked for programs and operations levies that are higher than what is allowed under Washington’s McCleary decision, at $3.67 and $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, respectively. Both passed with more than 60 percent of the vote.

Colton voters approved the levy for $2.50 with a 131-54 vote for an 70.81 approval.

Oakesdale voters gave a 95-52 vote for a 64.63 percent approval. The Oakesdale proposal seeks a levy for four years, 2020 to 2023.

Both levy proposals carried a “subject to legal limits on levy rates” condition which relates what adjustments the legislature might make in the upcoming session.

The local levy limit now set by the state is $1.50 per $1,000.

The Lamont School District, however, asked for $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value in the Feb. 12 election, which complies with the state limit. It was approved 6-3 (66.67%).

The decision comes from a 2012 lawsuit against Washington that alleged it was not complying with its duty to provide basic education as outlined in the state’s constitution. The Supreme Court agreed, and after attempts to fund education failed, it ruled in 2015 that Washington would be fined $100,000 daily until it came into compliance.

In June, following the Legislature’s release of $2 billion to the state for education funding, the Supreme court found Washington had met the funding requirements for basic education and lifted the fine. As a result, the Legislature applied a $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value cap on school district levies to counterbalance a raise in statewide taxes to continue funding education.

To implement these new levies, Oakesdale and Colton are relying on the state legislature’s removal of the levy cap in the 2019 session.

Also on the ballot were two propositions for the Tekoa Park & Recreation District. The first asked for $1.94 per $1,000 of assessed value to raise funds for operation and maintenance. The second asked for $0.64 per $1,000 to raise $50,000 to meet capital improvement needs, including a heater for the Tekoa Municipal Pool. Both propositions were approved.

In Colton, the town asked voters to approve a levy at $1.06 per $1,000 of assessed value to raise $30,000 for its water system. Residents approved it with 58 votes out of 70 (82.86%).

Election results will be certified Feb. 22.