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Three Whatcom County fire districts asked voters to approve tax increases in the Aug. 6 election, but only one will likely pass as of updated results Thursday, Aug. 8.
After failing in the April special election by a single vote, Fire District 17’s levy has 55.54% of votes in favor as of Thursday, with 722 votes counted.
Fire District 21’s, or the North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, levy has only 42.23% votes in favor, with 11,576 votes counted.
Fire District 1’s $13 million bond needs 60% of voters in favor to pass. As of Thursday night, the bond has 50.09% yes votes with 3,246 votes counted.
Fire District 1’s bond was intended to fund the construction of a new station on Everson Goshen Road to provide space for community activities, meetings and educational programs, sleeping quarters for firefighters, and to serve as an Emergency Operations Center in case of a disaster.
The district, which serves Everson, Nooksack, Deming and the Nooksack Indian Tribe, was asking for a tax rate of 39 cents per $1,000 in assessed value from voters. It’s unlikely the remaining votes will pull the bond through.
Fire District 1 Chief Rachel Carlson said on Tuesday night while it looks like the measure might not pass, she wants to extend her “heartfelt thanks” to those who considered the bond.
“We’re delighted to see such strong community participation in the democratic process,” she said.
Serving Sandy Point, Fire District 17’s ask for a levy rate of $1.25 per $1,000 in assessed property value to rebuild the district’s fire station and hire paid staff was embraced by voters this election.
Fire District 17 Campaign Co-chair Jeanne Carroll said Wednesday night that the campaign team is “quietly celebrating,” but are hesitant to fully celebrate due to how close the results were in the spring.
“We certainly know there are more votes outstanding,” Carroll said, but said they are fairly confident the measure will pass.
Carroll said on Tuesday night that the campaign has been “incredibly challenging” but that the district has had a “phenomenal group of supporters.”
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue’s levy lid lift to $1.10 per $1,000 in assessed property value to pay for emergency personnel and for replacement equipment currently has 56.44% of voters against the levy.
Fire Chief Jason Van der Veen said Tuesday night that the results are not what the district hoped for, but thanked everyone who participated in the process.
“We understand this is a difficult economy,” he said.
However, Van der Veen said they anticipate needing to make service level cuts to maintain a balanced budget. He said those cuts will be communicated with the community.
“Tomorrow’s a new day and we’ll get to planning.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
