CHIMACUM — Voters resoundingly approved a three-year replacement levy for Chimacum schools, subsidizing the programs that are not funded by the state but are essential to the schools’ operation, according to supporters.
“We are very appreciative of the support,” said Superintendent Craig Downs, who had come to the Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend to hear the vote totals.
“These are really tough times, and the people are voting to essentially tax themselves, and we appreciate that highly.”
Of the 4,380 votes counted in the district, 2,627, or 59.98 percent, voted in favor of the measure while 1,753, or 40.02 percent, voted against it.
Voter turnout in the district was 53.31 percent, with 4,395 voters returning ballots out of the 8,244 mailed.
Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge said about 350 votes were on hand but uncounted. It was not known how many included votes from the Chimacum School District, the Port Townsend School District or a proposed countywide sales tax increase.
The next count is scheduled for noon Friday.
The Chimacum levy replaces a levy voted in two years ago and requests a gradual increase in revenue, from $2.25 million in 2012 to $2.49 million by 2014.
The current rate of the levy, which expires this year, is $1 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, with the owner of a $200,000 home paying about $200 in property taxes to the district.
The new levy will cost each property taxpayer $1.23 per $1,000 assessed value the first year and rise to $1.35 per $1,000 the third year.
District officials say revenue represents approximately 20 percent of the district’s budget and is earmarked for program operations, technology, textbooks and materials.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
