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Luke, Kitchen, Johnston leading in early S.L. City Council results
Incumbent Charlie Luke and newcomers Derek Kitchen and Andrew Johnston were leading in the races to fill three Salt Lake City Council seats, according to unofficial election results Tuesday night.
Because this year's election is being conducted mostly by mail, votes are not being reported by precinct. Election officials say it is unclear how much Tuesday night's results could change before they are finalized by canvassers Nov. 17.
Kitchen had 52 percent of the vote to Nate Salazar's 48 percent in the council's highest-profile race to represent downtown neighborhoods' District 4.
Salazar conceded the race to Kitchen and pledged to continue his tradition of community service into the future.
Starting with a pool of five candidates, District 4 was the only Salt Lake City Council race that required a primary. It also drew thousands in fundraising. Kitchen, with about $32,000, raised about $10,000 more than Salazar, according to Oct. 27 campaign finance reports.
Early returns show 60 percent of voters favor $298M Davis School District bond
Early results from the Davis County election show 60 percent of voters in favor of a $298 million bond for schools in the Davis School District.
About one hour after the polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday, early voting ballots had been reported, but results from the county's absentee and mail-in ballots were still being processed. Four of the county's 23 polling locations had been reported.
The bond is expected to bring a total tax increase of about $7.50 for families owning a home worth $240,000, the median home value in the district. That means a $1 to $2 increase per year over the five-year life of the bond. The tax increase will take effect in 2017.
District leaders plan to spend most of the money — $246 million — on new construction and property purchases. That includes a new high school in Farmington, a new junior high school in Layton and at least one new elementary school in northern Davis County.
Millcreek Township now Millcreek City while 5 other communities pick township model
Millcreek Township became Millcreek City on Tuesday while voters in five other unincorporated communities in Salt Lake County chose townships as their municipal government, according to unofficial results.
Millcreek City includes the Canyon Rim, East Millcreek, Millcreek and Olympus Cove neighborhoods. The area is home to nearly 62,500 people and will become the 10th largest city in the state.
Hugh Matheson of Millcreek Neighbors for Representative Government said the group was excited the majority of voters chose to become a city.
Sales tax hike for local transportation projects has mixed results in 17 Utah counties
Early ballot returns in 17 Utah counties indicated mixed results for a local option sales tax increase to fund local transportation projects.
Counties that approved the sales tax increase voted to increase the tax by one penny for $4 spent.
Billy Hesterman, vice president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, which took no position on Proposition 1, said the mixed results means state lawmakers have more work to do in developing funding streams for transportation projects.
"Funding for Utah's roads is essential. Traffic congestion restricts economic growth. While voters in some counties have approved of the sales tax increase, others have not, leaving us with incomplete funding for our local transportation system. Utah's lawmakers need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a plan that includes charging the user for the various transportation methods that are utilized in the state," Hesterman said.
