Jamie Stephens
Jamie Stephens ran unopposed for San Juan County Council Residency District 3 and received 3,249 votes.
Stephens has served on the existing council for close to four years.
Prior to becoming a council member, Stephens was active in the community; including serving as board member of the Family Resource Center, Fisherman Bay Water Association, as Port Commissioner, member of the Lopez Village planning Committee, and board member of the Lopez Community Land Trust.
He has also substituted at Lopez School and has organized the yearly Fourth of July Parade.
Stephens teaches business classes through the Family Resource Center. He has two children, one in college and another employed in Washington, D.C. He lives with his wife Lauren Stephens in Lopez Village.
School Bond
Voters have approved Lopez Island School District #144 Proposition No. 1 concerning a $9.6 million capital projects bond with 63.36 percent of the vote. Only 36.64 percent opposed the bond.
Taxpayer cost is estimated to be an additional $0.30-$0.35 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property, or approximately $124 a year for a $400,000 house. This tax impact reflects an estimated interest rate that continues to be attractive and below historical averages.
According to school officials, Lopez School District facilities are falling apart, and district officials have been worried about keeping up with safety, health, and educational standards. The bond represents significant revisions from the $16.5 million renovation project proposed in 2013, which did not meet with voter approval. This new bond is approximately 40 percent less than the original request, but officials say it will provide sufficient funding for critical upgrades and renovations to meet basic safety, health and educational standards. By reducing originally proposed new additions and site improvements, trimming back on refurbishment of classrooms, and eliminating original plans for water catchment for irrigation, the District is able to present a responsive revised request to the voters.
Solid Waste Levy
Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District Proposition No. 1 Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District Operations and Capital Property Tax concerning an excess levy won landslide support with 678 votes out of 892, which is 76.01 percent of the vote.
According to Rhea Miller of Citizens for Lopez Solid Waste Levy, the 2015 levy will be assessed at a rate of 10.7 cents per $1,000 of taxable assessed value, down from 11.155 cents in 2014. The lower rate, with slightly increased property values, will generate the same $115,000 levy for 2015 as for 2014; a $54 bill for a property value at $500,000.
The next ballot count will be at 5 p.m. on Nov. 5.
