Spokane County and Loon Lake School District voter overwhelmingly passed ballot measures during special elections held on March 11.

Loon Lake voters approved a $2.1 million, six-year capital levy (409-195) to fund its share of the district’s share of a $40 million Deer Park School District project to remodel the high school.  A simple majority is needed for passage.

At the same time, Spokane County voters agreed to extend a .1 percent sales tax increase to generate funds to help pay for a new county jail. The six-year measure led 56,210-32,268 (63.5-36.5 percent) in the first round of ballot counting.  A 60-percent approval is needed for passage.

The amount of capital fund levy was determined by the percentage of Loon Lake School District students who attend DPHS.

If approved, the levy will cost Loon Lake School District property owners $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

If district voters had rejected the levy, the school district could have been forced to consolidate with either the Mary Walker or Deer Park School districts.

The Spokane County ballot measure was originally adopted in 1995 and has been extended by voters on two other occasions.