Several local issues given green light

A number of ballot issues were approved by Saline County voters in the election Tuesday, Nov. 7, including a school bond in Slater, a motel tax in Sweet Springs and a sewer bond in Mt. Leonard.

Voters authorized the Slater School Board to borrow $1 million to pay for number of improvements to school facilities by a vote of 638 to 127, according to unofficial election results released by Saline County Clerk Ken Bryant.

The bond will pay for a new energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system and a new roof at Alexander Elementary.

The bond will also pay for tuck pointing the high school buildings, water proofing and other improvements on school district facilities.

The Sweet Springs motel tax, approved by a 254 to 222 vote, according to unofficial results, will add 5 percent to room rates in the city. The tax could bring in as much as $30,000 a year, officials said.

Sweet Springs is the second city in Saline County to implement a hotel-motel tax, officially called a "transient guest tax." Marshall voters approved a similar measure in August 2004.

Sweet Springs voters also considered the measure in August 2004 but rejected it in that election.

Money from the tax will be used to support tourism, according to city officials.

Mt. Leonard voters approved by 26 to 5 a measure authorizing the city to issue $150,000 in bonds for the cost of building a sewer system.

Contact Eric Crump at

marshallfaith@socket.net