A $24 million general obligation bond for the Silver Consolidated School District was approved by voters, but the capital improvements bond was narrowly defeated, according to unofficial results released Tuesday evening by the Grant County Clerk’s office.
The GO bond received a total of 2,134 yes votes and 1,817 no votes in the special election, which was held entirely by mail. The Public School Capital Improvements Act, also known as the $2-mill levy or SB9 fund, failed with 1,774 no votes and 1,707 yes votes.
The results were announced at about 7:40 p.m. after the votes were counted following the county clerk’s closing of ballot collection at 7:00 p.m.
The failure of the capital bond, which would have been a continuation of an existing bond and would not have resulted in an increase in property taxes, led Silver Schools Board of Education President Ashley Montenegro to speculate that some voters did not see that the front and back of the ballot each contained a separate question.
The total number of votes cast on the GO bond question was 3,951, compared to a total of 3,481 votes on the 2 million question.
“We accept it,” Montenegro said of the separation. “I think it will be easier to get this through in the future,” she said of the 2-milliliter question.
This question could also be on the ballot in the 2025 general election, said District Clerk Marisa Castrillo.
Voter turnout was higher than in recent mail-in elections in Grant County, Castrillo said. A total of 12,597 ballots were mailed to voters registered within the Silver District boundaries.
“Before, with all the mail-in ballots, we got 500 back,” she said. “Even though it doesn’t look like it, the number is great. It was a good turnout.”
The GO bond was the most important victory, said Montenegro.
“This means we still have the money we need to receive the government subsidy for the next two years,” she said.
The GO bond will increase the county’s property tax revenue by 4.1 percent, which should bring total revenue to 10 percent or more. By reaching this threshold, the county will be able to apply for a larger share of capital project grants from the state, potentially bringing in an additional $14.4 million on top of the bond revenue.
This would give the district approximately $39 million over a four-year bond cycle and allow it to make its $62.6 million in deferred maintenance payments more quickly.
“I am incredibly grateful to the Grant County community, Silver City, parents and the entire community for stepping up, recognizing the needs of the students and the schools and making a huge effort,” said Superintendent William Hawkins.
—JUNO OGLE