Ballot measures: Marysville sales tax passing for new jail

EVERETT — Marysville could be getting a new police station and jail, and several fire districts seemingly passed measures to help with operations, according to Tuesday night election results.

The news was less encouraging for a fire district in Darrington and for an emergency medical service levy in Mukilteo. Both were failing Tuesday night.

Levies proposals that were passing included Fire District 5 in Sultan, District 8 in Lake Stevens, District 16 in Lake Roesiger, District 19 in Silvana and District 21 in rural Arlington. A levy to support South Snohomish County Fire and Rescue also was leading comfortably.

Construction on a new public safety building in Marysville could begin next year, city spokeswoman Connie Mennie said Tuesday night.

“We are pretty happy,” she said.

The city proposed a 0.1 percent sales tax increase to build a new jail and police department. That’s about 10 cents per $100 purchase. The ballot item was receiving a 53 percent “yes” vote.

The new public safety center is estimated to cost $23 million. About 110 employees would have room in the 46,000-square-foot building. The jail would have 50 cells and hold up to 110 inmates.

While results are still being counted, voters seemed to turn down Darrington’s proposal. It had a 47 percent “yes” vote and needed 50 percent. The fire district is mostly run by volunteers, and has only been able to afford having one worker at the station five days per week. Others remain on call for emergencies.

The levy was supposed to ensure someone was there daily.

The department was asking to collect $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which was a rate increase of about 58 cents. It asked for the same amount in February, which failed by 11 votes.

Mukilteo’s request was also behind. The city was seeking 50 cents per $1,000 for an emergency services levy lid lift.

Rural Arlington’s proposal was leading narrowly, with a “yes” vote just under 51 percent. The district bought land on McElroy Road in February for a future station.

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.