Lynnwood
Lynnwood’s Transportation Benefit District measure was coming up short Tuesday night, with just 48.6 percent of the vote favoring the 0.2 percent increase in local sales tax to fund transportation projects. But the difference between the two was just 102 votes Tuesday, so uncounted ballots could still swing the tally. The measure, which would raise approximately $4 million per year over the next 10 years, needs a simple majority to pass.
Arlington Public Schools
A $3 million two-year transportation levy that would purchase 26 new school buses for Arlington Public Schools was failing Tuesday night, with only 46.1 percent of the vote favoring the measure. The measure needs a simple majority for passage, and the no votes were ahead by 355 out of 4,693 votes counted. The property tax measure would levy 49 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation for two years, the equivalent of $122.50 per year for a $250,000 house.
Stanwood
Stanwood’s library annexation proposition was passing solidly, with 79.3 percent of the vote favoring the measure. Proposition 1 will cause the city’s library to be annexed into Sno-Isle Public Libraries, and will cause a property tax levy of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to be enacted. (Due to a cap on the amount of property taxes that can be levied, other city taxes will be reduced and residents will only see a net increase of 39 cents per $1,000 in their taxes, or $97.50 per year for a $250,000 home.) The city expects to free up more than $200,000 in annual general fund revenue it will then be able to use for much needed street projects. Proposition 1 needs a simple majority for passage.
Bothell
Bothell’s $42 million parks and open space bond was failing Tuesday, with the initial tally in both Snohomish and King Counties coming well short of the 60 percent supermajority needed for passage. It also needed at least 3,663 yes votes, and as of Tuesday only 2,843 yes votes were tallied. Between the two counties, just 43.9 percent of votes were in favor, and the no votes had nearly an 800 vote margin over the votes in favor.
Snohomish PUD
Two-term incumbent Dave Aldrich appeared to be winning a third term as one of three commissioners governing the Snohomish County Public Utility District. He led challenger Bruce King with 53.4 percent of the vote in the PUD’s District 1, which covers roughly the northern half of the county and Camano Island. King had campaigned on a back-to-basics approach to serving customers with electricity, while Aldrich stood by the utility’s efforts in recent years to diversify its sources of power.
Fire districts
Voters in Snohomish County Fire District 15 in Tulalip Bay were asked to approve a higher permanent emergency medical services levy, and in the early returns the measure was passing with 534 voting in favor, which is 78.7 percent of the vote. Passage requires a 60 percent yes vote and at least 298 yes votes.
Fire District 17 in Granite Falls, too, asked voters to impose a permanent medical-services levy, and that measure also appeared to be passing with 1,119 voting yes, which is 63.7 percent. Passage requires a 60 percent yes vote with a minimum of 636 votes in favor.
In Fire District 21, which serves the rural Arlington area, voters appeared to be defeating a levy to establish 24-hour paid staffing and other service improvements with a 43.3 percent yes vote. A simple majority is required for passage.
Chris Winters: 425-374-4165 or cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
