On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Oneida County residents will go to the polls to vote in the school bond refinancing election. The election will be held at the Event Center located at the Oneida County Fairgrounds. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting will begin at the Oneida County Courthouse from May 5 to May 16 (excluding the weekend of May 10-11).

Two weeks ago, The Idaho Enterprise addressed the effect of the election on property taxes. As Superintendent Abrams stated, the school district’s property tax assessment will continue to be $0 even if the bond passes in the upcoming election. However, the length of time to pay off the bond will be extended. Questions regarding “yes” and “no” votes will be discussed below.

Superintendent Jon Abrams has been presenting to organizations throughout the County to address issues regarding the bond refinancing election. A public meeting will be on Monday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. at Malad Elementary School where questions will be addressed to explain the funding situation and the reasons for the upcoming election.

As is common with ballot questions, the wording can be confusing.  Therefore, Superintendent Abrams provided information about what a NO vote means and what a YES vote means.

WHAT DOES A “NO” VOTE MEAN?

A NO vote does not make the debt for the new school go away. The School District would have to work with the bank that financed the bond to make the biggest payment possible each year, including costly interest and fees, which would extend the payments for over 20 years.

WHAT DOES A “YES” VOTE MEAN?

As seen in the ballot language, a YES vote indicates that bonds can be issued in the principal amount up to $10,250,000 plus $5,284,406 in interest to pay off the remainder of the outstanding bond amount over the next 20 years. This will be paid off using school facilities funds that the School District gets from the State. 

It could be confusing for voters to see that the stated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed bond levy would be $147 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. Similar language was used in the 2023 bond election, except that the possible cost to taxpayers would have been $1,389 per $100,000 of assessed property value. 

HOWEVER, using local District funds and State school capital funds annually allocated to every Idaho school district based on student average daily attendance, the Oneida School District anticipates being able to pay off the bond amount in 20 years WITHOUT taxing property owners. 

The School District’s property tax assessment would continue to be $0 even if the bond passes (unless the State changes funding laws again). The bond refinancing process in place now would extend the time to pay off the bond but would NOT increase property taxes.

If you have questions, please attend the public meeting on May 12. You may also contact Superintendent Abrams directly to clarify the bond ballot language.  Mr. Abrams welcomes questions from individuals or organizations. To set up an appointment with Mr. Abrams, please contact him at [email protected] or call him at 208-705-3723.