Sultan rejects levy to hire more police

  • By Yoshiaki Nohara, Diana Hefley and Scott Morris / Herald Writers
  • Wednesday, September 15, 2004 9:00pm
  • Local NewsLocal news

While most Snohomish County ballot measures passed in Tuesday’s primary election, Sultan voters rejected a levy to expand the police department, according to Wednesday’s vote returns.

Also, officials in the Snohomish and Stanwood-Camano areas were holding their breath on two other measures – one just short of the required vote and the other just over.

Those officials won’t know for sure about their measures until Friday, when about 40,000 absentee ballots will be counted.

Fire District 4 (Snohomish area)

A tax levy increase for ambulance and paramedic services was falling just short of the 60 percent majority required for passage.

The proposed increase was to 50 cents from 22 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.

Fire Chief Robert Merritt said Wednesday he hopes absentee ballots will flip the close vote.

“We are optimistic, and we are also prepared, if we are unsuccessful, to place the levy back on the ballot” in the Nov. 2 general election, Merritt said.

Meanwhile, the district will discuss options in case the measure fails then as well, Merritt said. The options include closing some fire stations and laying off several staff members.

Stanwood library bond

A bond for a new $9 million library in Stanwood is hovering close to the required 60 percent majority.

Mary Kelly, community relations manager for the Sno-Isle Regional Library System, said the numbers could dip again, so she and Stanwood officials have been preparing an alternate plan.

The Sno-Isle board and the Stanwood City Council plan to put the measure back on the Nov. 2 ballot. They have until Friday to do so.

“There appears to be a fair amount of momentum,” she said. “We wouldn’t want to lose that.”

Stanwood Mayor Herb Kuhnly said he would continue to support both the library and a new city hall built on a joint campus.

Sultan, Proposition 2

Sultan residents were voting down an 81-cent property tax increase to hire two additional police officers and a records clerk.

The additional positions would have increased the force from eight to 10 officers and provided around-the-clock police coverage. The department is paying overtime to keep up with calls, Police Chief Fred Walser said.

At some point, the overtime budget will run out, he said. Also, the budget doesn’t address problems that arise when an officer is sick or on vacation, Walser said.

Other alternatives were explored before asking voters to raise taxes, Walser said.

“We’ll have to look at some other way, probably not this year,” the chief said. “We’ll cope the way we are for now, and we’ll be short of people.”

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.