Transit tax is passing; park levy is failing

Herald staff

Snohomish County voters were supporting a sales tax increase for Community Transit Tuesday night, but voters in east county weren’t as supportive of a tax increase for parks.

Voters also supported changes for the Edmonds Port District, but weren’t voting in favor of most of the fire district measures.

CT’s Proposition 1 asking voters in most of Snohomish County for a 0.3 cents per dollar sales tax increase was passing.

The increase would pay an estimated $17.5 million to $18 million into CT in 2002. CT operates on a $53 million annual budget and runs 19 local routes and 33 commuter routes.

"I’m feeling fairly confident," CT executive director Joyce Olson said. "I’m so glad that people in Snohomish County are recognizing the value of their public transit."

The bulk of the money raised through the additional tax would go to operations. Transit officials said they could increase their service up to 15 percent during the next six years by adding vanpools and park-and-ride lots and bringing back Sunday service early next year, Olson said.

Officials had said if voters turn down the measure, CT would have to make further cuts in service. The tax increase also gives much of Snohomish County the highest sales tax rate in the state, at 8.9 cents per dollar.

After two failed attempts last year, a property tax levy to support the East Snohomish County Parks and Recreation District appeared to be failing.

While the measure had a majority of yes votes, it didn’t have enough total votes Tuesday to validate the election.

The district’s Proposition 1 is a 10-cent-per-$1,000 of assessed valuation property tax levy to maintain and operate Maltby Park and other programs that the district has. That would amount to about $20 in new property taxes to the average homeowner in the district. Park district boundaries are the same as the Monroe School District.

The district’s only park was closed in August because there was no more money to maintain it. Earlier this year, the district laid off its director because of a lack of funds. The district relies on property taxes to fund its programs, along with class and event fees and rental fees for its ball fields, which have not been maintained since the park closed.

If the early vote returns predict the final outcome for the tax measure, the board of directors for the district will now have to determine whether to put the matter to voters again or disband the district.

In Edmonds, Port District Propositions 1, 2 and 3 were passing Tuesday night.

Proposition 1 increases the number of port commissioners from three to five. Port commissioners reasoned that adding two commissioners would ensure better citizen representation.

Proposition 2 decreases the term of office for port commissioners from six years to four years.

Proposition 3 allows the two additional port commissioners to be elected at-large — from the entire port district. Three commissioners will continue to be elected from specified geographic areas.

Meanwhile, two of the four fire district measures were failing in early returns.

Fire District 14 in the Stanwood area was behind, and Fire District 26 in the Gold Bar area was losing by a wide margin.

Fire District 28 in the Index area was actually way in front but needs more votes to be validated, and its second measure was winning by a shallow margin.

All the measures were asking for money to improve services.

Herald writers Kate Reardon, Leslie Moriarty and Janice Podsada contributed to this report.

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.

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.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

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

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.

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.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

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.