Voters reject tax proposals

Three proposals to raise taxes in Hamilton County were rejected by voters in Tuesday’s primary election.
Aurora citizens soundly rejected a proposal to implement a 1-1/2 percent city sales tax in Tuesday’s election.
With 822 votes cast against the proposal and 325 votes in favor, the sales tax was rejected by a 72 percent margin.
Representatives from both sides of the issue offered a brief response Tuesday night after the results were posted at approximately 11 p.m.
“Our community’s unique qualities have always been what makes Aurora such a great place to live,” said Jannelle Seim, a member of the “Yes We Can” committee which worked to defeat the proposal. “We are grateful the voters were willing to hear the facts and make an informed decision. Voting down the sales tax proposal proves that our citizens know that what Aurora does differently works. It is our hope that our local government and organizations can work together and turn our focus back to keeping Aurora the impressive and prosperous community it’s always been.”
Mayor Marlin Seeman was at the Hamilton County Courthouse when the results were posted and shared this reaction.
“The majority of voters have spoken rejecting the proposal to implement the local option sales tax for Aurora,” Seeman said. “The city council is committed to providing expected services valued by Aurora citizens. Therefore, property taxes will continue to be the sole funding source for sustaining current and future programs, as well as future growth and expansion of Aurora. I appreciate all of the community conversations that have taken place over the past several weeks promoting opinions on this ballot question.”

Giltner school bond issue rejected
Giltner school patrons rejected a plan to spend $11.41 million on a school bond issue in Tuesday’s primary election, with 222 votes against the item compared to 161 in favor.
With a total of 383 votes cast, that put the deciding margin at 58 percent. Despite the rejection, Supt. Nick Mumm expressed gratitude for the people who voted.
“First of all, we would like to thank everyone who participated in this important bond election,” Mumm stated. “Whichever side of the issue you were on, we appreciate your attendance at public meetings and willingness to engage with the information about the needs of the district and proposed solutions.”
The $11.41 million school bond issue was touted to make renovations to the facilities of Giltner Public Schools such as increasing classroom space, renovating the locker rooms and creating a new kitchen.
“Although the bond issue failed, our needs have not gone away,” Mumm said. “In the coming months, we will plan to listen to feedback from district patrons and determine our next steps in the process. Whatever these next steps may be, we look forward to engaging with our stakeholders to determine a solution to the needs and challenges we face.”

Giltner sales tax denied
Giltner patrons voted against a proposal Tuesday to implement a 1 percent sales tax that was intended to fund housing development for nine to 12 houses in a field along South H Rd outside of Giltner.
Amassing a 78 percent loss, the sales tax was rejected with 163 votes against the ballot item and 55 in favor. 
The money generated from the sales tax would’ve allowed construction to begin for groundwork such as water, sewers and electrical.
If the 1 percent sales tax was applied to net taxable sales last year of $1,219,504, the money from the sales tax was calculated to generate $12,195.

Merkel wins Dist. 3 race
Jessie Merkel emerged Tuesday as the victor in a three-man race to fill the Dist. 3 seat on the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners.
Merkel received 150 votes in the primary election, while Troy Holloway received 109 and Tanner Holloway received 95.
The win means Merkel will succeed John Thomas on the county board at the end of the year, as there were no candidates filing as Democrats. Merkel will therefore run unopposed in the November general election.
Hamilton County Election Commissioner Jill DeMers reported that 2,917 voters participated in the election, representing 43 percent of the county’s 6,833 registered voters. DeMers reported that the election process ran smoothly, with no unexpected delays or hiccups.
Election results in Hamilton County for the other state and national races were as follows:
* Democratic primary for president: Joe Biden, 247; Dean Phillips, 57; write-ins, 20.
* Republican primary for president: Donald Trump, 1956; Nikki Haley, 291; Perry Johnson, 42; write-ins, 15.
* Republican primary for U.S. Senate full term: Deb Fischer, 1,735; Arron Kowalski, 568; write-ins, 11.
* Republican primary for U.S. Senate partial term: Pete Ricketts, 1,843; John Glen Weaver, 386; Mac Stevens, 93; write-ins, 7.
* U.S. House Congressional District 3 Democratic primary: Daniel Ebers, 132; David Else, 115; write-ins, 6.
* U.S. House Congressional District 3 Republican primary: Adrian Smith, 1,705; John Walz, 391; Robert McCuiston, 210; write-ins, 6.