Smith Valley bond ballots go out

Ballots will be mailed out today on a $6 million bond issue to fund expansion and renovation of Smith Valley School and purchasing land.

Approximately 1,151 ballots will be mailed out to registered, active voters and are due at the school by 8 p.m. on March 28.

A majority of the project proposal is earmarked toward new construction, which includes building five new classrooms, a new library, a new multipurpose gym, new offices, a new drain field and upgraded septic system, improved security, additional parking and traffic-flow improvements.

About $165,000 is slated for purchasing 9.8 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to the school on U.S. 2 West owned by Ronald and Shirley Baier. The purchase is contingent on the bond issue passing. Grading of the land will have to occur due before building, Smith Valley Principal Laili Komenda noted.

If the bond is approved, owners of homes with assessed values of $200,000 could anticipate annual property taxes to increase by $448.82. The life of the bond would be 20 years.

Voters must sign the outer envelope containing his or her ballot, and it must be signed by the person the ballot was issued to in order to be counted.

Residents who have not received ballots may not have provided their most current address with the Flathead County Election Department, which is in charge of maintaining the list of registered voters. With proper identification, residents may update his or her information with the county election department, 40 11th St. W., Suite 230.

For more information call the school at 406-756-4535 or visit www.smithvalleyschool.org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.