PORT ANGELES — Votes counted in today’s primary election showed too few voters favor a 20-year, $4 million Civic Field improvement bond to ensure its passage.
The bond would pay for artificial turf, new field lighting and a new boiler for the locker room so it has hot water.
As of tonight, the vote was 1,574 in favor, or 55 percent, and 1,292 opposed, or 45 percent, but 60 percent approval is required.
The Clallam County Auditor’s Office received 3,513 additional ballots for all primary races today will be counted by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The bond vote for Civic Field at Fourth and Race streets was citywide only.
Bond committee organizer Steve Zenovic of Port Angeles was not feeling optimistic about the chances for passage after hearing the totals.
“It’s hard to say, but my gut feeling right now it would be very difficult to get there,” he said.
“I’m willing to see what comes later on. It will be challenging, but we have to wait and see what the final results are.”
The bond would cost city property owners about 18 cents for every $1,000 of assessed valuation, or $36 a year for the owner of a $200,000 home or $720 over the life of the bond.
The bond would cost an estimated $5.5 million over its lifespan when interest is included.
The bulk of bond money — $3 million — would pay for artificial turf that would replace an often waterlogged grass field that is unusable during the rainy season from November to March.
Proponents, including the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Port Angeles Business Association, said that improvements would mean tournaments could be played at the field that can’t be played there now — and that would draw visitors to the city and generate revenue.
There was no organized opposition to the bond.
Ballots were mailed to city voters July 18.
To be counted, they had to be postmarked today or delivered to the county elections office or a drop box by 8 p.m. today.
The Clallam County elections office counted tonight 12,072 ballots that had been received as of Monday.
The total received was 15,586 for all races, or 33.97 percent of the 45,879 ballots mailed.
Three of the ballot envelopes received were empty, county Auditor Patty Rosand said.
“I expect we will receive at least another 10 percent in the next few days,” she said.
________
Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
