BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – It was a nailbiter but voters in the Bronson Community School district approved a $29,910,000 bond issue in Tuesday’s election.
According to the unofficial results from the Branch County Clerks office, the proposal passed by 53 votes out of the 1,747 that were cast. The yes votes outnumbered the no votes 900 to 847.
Results become official once they are certified by the Board of Canvassers.
At one point, the vote total was a 616 to 616 deadlock with two precincts still out. But the proposal was adopted after it got positive results from the City of Bronson and Noble Township. It was also approved in Batavia, Bethel and Gilead Townships. Voters in Matteson and Bronson Townships said no.
The approved bonds will fund the remodeling and expansion of Anderson Elementary. In turn, Ryan Elementary will be closed.
The expansion would include a new gymnasium, an expanded cafeteria, the addition of air conditioning and other classroom upgrades. Anderson Elementary currently houses kindergarten-second grade students, with third, fourth, and fifth grade students at Ryan.
The 4.98 mill bond issue would also pay for the construction of a new eight lane track at the high school that would replace the current six lane track.
A slightly larger $32.33 million proposal failed by 44 votes in back in May.
Meanwhile, voters in Bronson Township renewed a millage of up to one mill for five years for fire protection and equipment. It passed 260 to 135. An estimated $50,000 is expected to be raised in the first year of the millage.
By a margin of 74 to 37, Village of Tekonsha voters approved the renewal of a 3.75 mill road and sidewalk millage through 2036 in order to provide funds for street and sidewalk maintenance, repair and rebuilding within the village. About $75,000 would be raise in the first year.
There were no contested races in the City of Coldwater but there will still be one change on the City Council.
Mike Beckwith decided not to run for reelection. Former City Manager and Coldwater Board of Public Utilities Director Jeff Budd was the only candidate to file for the Third Ward seat.
Current Mayor Tom Kramer, First Ward Councilman Travis Machan, Second Ward Councilman James Knaack, and Fourth Ward Councilman Randall Hazelbaker also ran unopposed.
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