STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Voters in Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley will have the opportunity Tuesday to cast their vote on a proposal that would reallocate half of the LOT taxes in those cities for projects involving workforce housing.

Hailey voters will also have a chance to vote on a proposal that would allow the city to issue a $6 million bond to refurbish the city’s wastewater treatment plant in Woodside.

Voters are being asked whether the 1% For Air local option taxes in their cities be adjusted so that 0.5 percent of the taxes raised would go to support air service and 0.5 percent would be used for affordable housing programs.

Currently, the entirety of the local option taxes in the three cities is used for minimum revenue guarantees that ensure airlines do not lose money flying in and out of Friedman Memorial Airport. Sun Valley Resort pays for half of the revenue guarantees.

Ketchum and Sun Valley voters will also be asked to vote on whether to extend the tax, for five years. The LOT tax in Hailey is set to continue whether or not voters approve the reallocation.

All measures require 60 percent voter approval.

Proponents of the ballot measure to reallocate the LOT taxes say that doing so would address the  workforce housing crisis without raising taxes. The LOT Taxes are imposed on such things as lodging and rental cars, with 75 percent of the taxes paid by visitors.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16. Voting will take place at the Community Campus in Hailey; The Community Library in Ketchum, and City Hall in Sun Valley.