Two Pullman, Idaho, bond elections were declared valid Tuesday by just 68 votes, according to county elections officials.
Although voters were strongly in favor of the bonds that would allow a new city hall and improve parks and paths, there was a question whether enough votes would be cast to validate the election.
According to state law, the bond measures needed voter turnout exceeding 40 percent of the last general election, as well as a 60 percent supermajority. While the measures had a healthy supermajority approval, elections officials only reached a ballot count exceeding the 40 percent rule on Tuesday.
"Pullman's turnout in the 2016 election was 9,635, so there must be a turnout this year of at least 3,854," Whitman County Auditor Eunice Coker said before the election.
"There was 3,922 ballots returned," City Supervisor Adam Lincoln said. "We've exceeded the 40 percent, and we've exceeded the 60 percent, so we've passed both bonds."
The first bond, Proposition 1, requested $10.5 million in general obligation bonds to buy and convert the Encounter Ministries campus on Southeast Crestview Street into a new city hall, senior center and recreation center. Officials estimate the owner of a $200,000 home would pay an additional $88 a year in property taxes for 20 years.
Lincoln called this an exciting start, but said there's still a lot of work to be done. Officials must meet with bond counsel, make budget amendments and purchase agreements before they've even reached the planning phases, Lincoln said.
"Any real movement is going to be a little bit down the road," Lincoln said.
Proposition 2 is relatively straightforward, according to Lincoln, and is set to replace an expiring bond that funds continuous improvements to Pullman's various parks and paths. City Attorney Laura McAloon said since this is a replacement bond, it won't make a significant change in tax rates.
McAloon said, "They'll just continue paying the same or similar tax rate as they've paid in the past."
Lincoln said the city will wait for the election to be certified Nov. 28 before taking any new action.
