The Courier
News
May 19th Election
This Friday, May 1st, Idaho will start to open up from the Covid-19 shutdown. However, this will NOT change the “Vote from Home” primary election. You still need to apply for an absentee ballot by May 19th, but you have until June 2nd to return the ballot. Along with several contested races for elected officials, there are levy elections voters will be considering. The Hagerman Fire Protection District is requesting a temporary override levy in the amount of $125,000 for two years. The estimated annual cost of this proposed levy is $70 per $100,000 of taxable property value. In 2013 the HFPD agreed to take on the Hagerman Quick Response Unit (QRU), but no extra funding was provided for the added service to the community. Over the last ten years, the HFPD has averaged 4 to 5 EMS calls and about 2 fire calls per week. Without coverage from the Hagerman QRU, the average response time from the nearest hospital ambulance service is at best 25 minutes (once a call is made to 911). Average response time for the Hagerman Fire Department and QRU is 5 to 8 minutes. This levy will provide funds needed to continue and improve QRU and fire protection services. If approved, the increase in the levy will be used to pay for: 24/7 QRU staff, coverage for firefighters and wages, training, new and updated equipment, medical supplies, etc. In Wendell, School District 232 is asking for a two-year supplemental levy in the amount of $600,000 per year. This is a renewal of an existing levy and will not increase current taxes. Part of these funds will be used for salaries/benefits and curriculum needs. The majority of the funds ($355k) will be used for maintenance of school facilities (heating & AC, fire suppression, floors, paint, parking lot, etc.) as well as security needs - cameras, lighting and fencing. The supplemental levy provides for the short term needs, but the Wendell School District is also facing long term concerns. While most of the district’s buildings are in fair to good condition, the gymnasium and the high school welding/mantenance shop are in desparated need of improvements. According to their “Ten Year Facilities Plan - 2019 to 2029,” the district will need almost $7 million to update district buildings and bring them up to required standards. Enrolement in the Wendell School District has been sporadic over the last few years - five years of 1% growth along with one year of 4% loss - but with building capacities at 94%, there is concern that the district will not be able to provide space for students if the community grows. The Ten Year Facilities Plan can be found on the district’s website: www.sd232.k12.id.us click on the community tab at the top of the page.
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
April 29, 2020
Vol 44 Num 18
Idaho Gives 2020
The annual program to support nonprofit organanization throughout Idaho will come to an end next Thursday, May 7th. In order to participate, organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing services in Idaho. Local nonprofits you can support on the “Idaho Gives” website include: Camp Rainbow Gold (Fairfield) Gooding School District Educational Foundation Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering (Shoshone) A Road to Home Inc. (Shoshone) Other nonprofits include: The Idaho Foodbank Idaho Humane Society Friends of Zoo Boise Friends of Idaho Public Television Boise Rescue Mission Ministries Idaho Gives is designed to help Idaho nonprofits raise money and awareness for thier causes, and to provide a conveniant way for Idahoans to give back to our great state. IdahoGives.org is an easy-to-use platform for donors to search, support, and donate.
Controlled Hunt Applications Open May 1st With New Rule for Elk Hunters
by Roger Phillips, Public Information Supervisor
Applications for controlled deer, elk, pronghorn and fall bear hunts run May 1st through June 5th. Elk hunters are reminded that new for 2020, there is a five-day waiting period to buy capped elk zone tags for any resident who applies for a controlled elk hunt regardless of whether the person draws the controlled hunt tag. Some controlled hunts are exempt from the waiting period, including Super Hunts, extra elk hunts, depredation hunts or Landowner Appreciation Program hunts. Establishing a waiting period for elk controlled hunt applicants is designed to reduce the initial demand for first-come, first-served capped zone elk tags when they go on sale in July. Sales history shows many elk hunters who bought capped elk zone tags had previously applied for controlled hunts.