The creation of a new taxing district in northern Valley County was approved on Tuesday by McCall-Donnelly area voters, while incumbent candidates generally fared well in races for seats on city councils and school boards.
The Mountain Community Center District was approved by voters, with about 64% voting to create the district. A simple majority of 50% plus one vote was required for approval.
The district received 1,746 votes in favor of its creation, with 1,000 votes opposed, according to unofficial results on Tuesday night reported by all seven Valley County precincts.
The district cannot levy property taxes, but will add a 5% tax to all stays in short-term rentals and motels in the McCall-Donnelly area, including at Tamarack Resort and Brundage Mountain Resort. The tax is projected to raise about $1.5 million for year.
The tax funding is expected to contribute to the construction and operation of a public fieldhouse that would provide year-round indoor recreation space. Plans for the facility remain conceptual, but it is expected to cost between $20 million and $35 million to build.
“This win is a reflection of what our united community can accomplish,” said Donnelly resident Johanna Defoort, who is among the district’s organizers. “We are grateful for the honest feedback and countless hours of support that made this incredible achievement possible.”
Defoort, along with fellow organizers Greg Pittenger, Blake Lingle, Lisa Beck, and Heidi Wyman, were each elected to serve on the district’s board of directors as part of the measure’s approval.
“Our drive for success doesn’t stop here,” Defoort said. “The next step will be to formally adopt the board, work with the state tax commission, and gather feedback for scope.”
The district also plans to ramp up a private donation campaign to help fund construction and seek additional community partnerships, she said. There is currently no timeline for construction to begin.
The site of the fieldhouse is also still to be determined, though three locations in McCall and Lake Fork are being considered, according to the district.
McCall incumbents roll, McCall-Donnelly levy passes
Incumbent McCall City Council candidates Bob Giles, Julie Thrower, and Lyle Nelson were re-elected to four-year terms on the council, turning back challenges from retired real estate lender Wayne Dolik and Michael Weaver, a local business owner.
Giles, McCall’s current mayor, received 762 votes, while Thrower and Nelson received 784 votes and 852 votes, respectively. Dolik received 359 votes and Weaver received 198 votes.
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Voters also approved a two-year, $950,000 supplemental property tax levy sought by the McCall-Donnelly School District, with 72% in favor of the measure. A simple majority of 50% plus one vote was required for approval.
Overall, 1,969 votes were cast in favor of the levy, compared to 764 votes against it.
“The district extends its thanks to the community for investing in the future of kids and demonstrating strong support for public education,” McCall-Donnelly Superintendent Tim Thomas said. “The passage of the levy will allow the district to maintain educational opportunities and programs.”
The levy will cost property owners in the district about $9 per $100,000 in assessed property value. The levy includes $500,000 for transportation, $200,000 for facilities improvements, $150,000 for special programs, and $100,000 for food services.
The additional property taxes will close a funding gap tied to the loss of federal funding, Thomas said.
Incumbents struggle in Cascade races
In Cascade, longtime Cascade School Board trustee Karen Thurston was unseated by challenger Bradley Dillon, a licensed land surveyor.
Dillon received 74 votes, or about 65% of the vote, compared to 40 votes for Thurston, who has served on the school board for 35 years.
Incumbent trustee Kathy Hull narrowly turned back challenger Patrick Pratchett by a margin of six votes. Hull, who owns Cascade Auto, received 52% of the vote, or 71 votes, while Pratchett received 65 votes.
Meanwhile, challenger Ben Oyarzo was elected to a four-year term on the Southern Valley County Recreation District Board of Directors, which oversees the Cascade Aquatic & Recreation Center.
Oyarzo, a member of the Valley County Planning and Zoning Commission, defeated incumbent Monica Gokey, a self-employed rancher. Oyarzo earned 52% of the vote, or 251 votes, to Gokey’s 230 votes.
Cascade City Council members Denise Tangen and Jason Speer were also re-elected to four-year terms after running unopposed.
Valley County precincts saw about 39% voter turnout, with 3,282 ballots cast out of 8,334 registered voters, according to Vote Idaho.
Good re-elected as New Meadows mayor
In Adams County, New Meadows Mayor Julie Good defeated write-in challenger Richard Yelton with 61% of the vote. Good received 79 votes compared to 51 votes for Yelton.
New Meadows City Council members Traci Foster and Shiloh Ryker were also re-elected to four-year terms on the council, though each ran unopposed.
Incumbent Meadows Valley School Board Trustee Barb Dixon defeated challenger Lisa Potter for a new four-year term on the board, which is chaired by Dixon.
Dixon, who currently chairs the school board, received 59% of the vote, or 19 votes, while Potter received 13 votes.
Voter turnout in Adams County was about 22%, with 483 ballots cast compared to 2,183 registered voters.
