A roundup of other local elections

In the Fifth Senate District, incumbent Cathleen Galgiani of Manteca was leading challenger Alan Nakanishi by 11 percentage points in early returns. Galgiani, a Democrat, is in her first term in the Senate after narrowly defeating Republican Bill Berryhill in 2012. Nakanishi, 76, is a Lodi city councilman and a previous member of the Legislature.

Several school districts in Stanislaus County asked voters to approve school bonds.

Waterford City Council

Three council seats were open in Waterford, with incumbent Jose M. Aldaco competing with Zina Strait, a customer service supervisor and Thomas Powell, a planning commissioner for the city. Mayor Mike Van Winkle ran unopposed. With 2 of 4 precincts counted, it appeared Aldaco would keep his seat; he had 427 votes. Powell was in first place, with 516 votes. Strait trailed with 268 votes.

City of Newman Measure M

With 4 of 7 precincts reporting, Newman’s Measure M appeared to be losing, with 51.96 percent in favor. The measure needs two-thirds voter approval to pass.

Newman asked its residents to vote on forming a Community Facilities Tax District, levying a special tax that would among other things build a community pool. Single-family properties would pay a maximum of $148 per year, according to information from the city.

Turlock Unified - Measures N and O

Turlock’s school bonds both were well ahead of the needed 55 percent voter approval in early returns. Measure N had 66 percent voter approval; Measure O was getting 65 percent.

Measure N seeks $40.8 million from voters in the area served by Turlock elementary schools. Measure O asks $48 million for high school improvements from voters in Turlock, Keyes and Chatom school districts.

Measure N would pay first for better lighting and fencing at open campuses, and improved student drop-off and pick-up flow. It aims to add science labs, career-technology classrooms and ag facilities. It is estimated to cost property owners $29.90 per $100,000 assessed value each year.

Measure O would also go first to safety, including fencing, lighting and high-tech security systems. It would add air conditioning to Pitman High classrooms and build a science wing at Turlock High. Both high schools would get library improvements and career technical facilities. Replacing old portable classrooms and improving wheelchair access on campuses are on both lists. Measure O is estimated to cost property owners $29 per $100,000 assessed value each year.

Newman-Crows Landing Unified - Measure P

Early returns showed Measure P leading 65 percent to 35 percent. The bond requires 55 percent voter approval to pass.

Measure P would authorize $11.1 million in construction funding. The measure reauthorizes money remaining on a 2008 measure, made necessary because of a decline in property values, the bond analysis says, suggesting it has reached its taxing limit. According to a listing of typical tax rates submitted in bond refinance documents, property owners in the district now pay $139.79 per $100,000 assessed value each year for past school building projects.

Specific projects include replacing portable classrooms with permanent buildings, adding classrooms as needed, and upgrading/adding athletic facilities at Orestimba High. The measure estimates property owners will add up to $60 per $100,000 of assessed value to their property tax bill at the highest point, with an average of $44.25 per $100,000 over the life of the new bonds.

Hughson Unified, Measures Q and R

Measures Q and R both were leading by small margins in early returns; Measure Q with 56.06 percent and Measure R with 56.16 percent. Both need 55 percent.

Measure Q seeks $3.2 million for improvements at Hughson Elementary School and Ross Middle School from the area served by Hughson elementary schools. Measure R asks $2.2 million for Hughson High upgrades from voters in Hughson, as well as Gratton, Hickman and Robert’s Ferry school districts, the Hughson High feeder districts.

The high school bond R projects list new air conditioning and a new roof for the gym, an all-weather track and a security camera system, as well as a long list of possible projects should funding allow. It is estimated to cost homeowners $8.50 per $100,000 of assessed value each year.

The younger schools bond Q would pay for new restrooms at Ross Middle School, a new roof, windows and field irrigation at Hughson Elementary, and air conditioning and security cameras at both campuses. It is estimated to cost homeowners $19 per $100,000 of assessed value each year.

This story was originally published November 8, 2016 at 9:46 PM with the headline "A roundup of other local elections."