Snake River district to seek plant facility levy renewal

The Snake River School Board will try again to win voter approval for renewal of a ten year, $750,000 per year plant facilities levy.

The levy request is identical to one that failed to win approval in November.

The funds would be used to maintain existing facilities.

According to Superintendent Dave Kerns, the district has sustained a $500,000 plant facilities levy for the past 30 years. The additional funding is needed to cover the rising cost of maintenance and to replace a septic system failure at the junior high school. The district hopes to connect the building to Blackfoot’s sewer system instead.

The issue received a 55 percent vote in November, but under state guidelines, the levy requires a two-thirds majority to pass.

The issue will go to voters on March 13, 2018.