Voters in St. Louis County approved the extension of a property tax levy to fund $100 million in construction and repairs at its court complex in downtown Clayton.
That was just one of the measures up for consideration in countywide and municipal elections in the St. Louis Public Radio listening area.
Voters in the Bayless and Ladue school districts approved tax increases that will be used for upgrades to district facilities, and in Bayless's case, restore some cuts made to transportation services. But in St. Charles County, voters rejected a tax increase that would have funded training for the Cottleville Fire Protection District. And in Lake St. Louis, voters rejected a sewer lateral program.
Here's a snapshot of unofficial results from some of the area contests:
St. Louis County - Proposition S
Proposition S would authorize St. Louis County to issue up to $100 million in general obligation bonds to make repairs to court facilities, including the construction of a new family courts building. The bonds would be paid off by continuing a property tax of 2.8 cents per every $100 of assessed valuation that was first levied in 1967.
The measure requires a 4/7 majority (57.1%) to pass. There are the results as of 11 p.m., with 100% of the precincts reporting:
- Yes - 59.5%
- No - 40.5%
Bayless School District - Proposition B
Proposition B would allow the district in south St. Louis County to raise its operating levy by 92 cents per every $100 of assessed valuation. The levy is currently $3.30 for every $100 of assessed valuation. The increase would allow the district to restore bus transportation and increase teacher salaries.
A group supporting the ballot measure, B for Bayless, says on its website that further budget cuts could force the district to surrender local oversight.
The measure requires a simple majority to pass. These are the totals as of 11 p.m. with 100% percent of the precincts reporting:
- Yes - 58%
- No - 42%
Ladue School District - Proposition 1
Proposition 1 asks residents of the district to approve a tax increase of 49 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, bringing the total levy to $3.24 per $100. The additional funds would be used for salaries, school supplies and equipment, transportation, and to make up for a reduction in sales tax revenue.
Both sides have had an active web and yard sign presence in this campaign, though neither group formed an official committee that had to file documents with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
The measure requires a simple majority to pass. Here are the results as of 11 p.m., with 100% percent of precincts reporting:
- Yes - 53%
- No - 47%
Rockwood R-VI School District - Proposition R
Proposition R marks the 12th time in 21 years that the district in far west St. Louis County will go to the polls for a bond issue. This time, it's for a $43.2 million bond issue that would allow for the construction and repair of district facilities, without increasing the current tax levy of 68 cents per every $100 of assessed valuation.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the back story surrounding this proposition.
The measure requires a 4/7 majority to pass. Here are the results as of 11 p.m., with 100 percent of the precincts reporting:
- Yes - 54.6%
- No - 45.4% (measure needed 57.1% to pass)
Washington School District - Proposition I
This district of 4,100 students, which serves students in Franklin, St. Charles and Warren counties, is asking for approval of a $65 million bond issue to renovate and construct school buildings. An informational flier from the district notes that some of the district's elementary schools do not have networked computers, and closets, offices and hallways are being used as classroom space.
The bond issue would be funded by a series of tax increases. In 2013 and 2014, the levy would go up 15 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation, and 16 cents in 2015. That would bring the total tax levy to 75 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in 2015.
The measure requires a 4/7 majority overall to pass. These are the results as of 11 p.m.
- Franklin County: 45% yes, 55% no, 100 percent of precincts reporting. (Numbers have been rounded)
- St. Charles County: 46.2% yes, 53.8% no, 100 percent of precincts reporting
- Warren County: 46.2% yes, 53.8% no, 100 percent of precints reporting
Find unofficial results for most of today's elections at the following websites:
