FORKS — A Forks Community Hospital six-year emergency medical care and services property tax levy passed in the first count of special election ballots Tuesday.
In early returns, 638 voters, or 65.17 percent, voted to approve the Clallam County Hospital District 1 levy, while 341 voters, or 34.83 percent, rejected it.
The measure, a replacement property tax levy for one expiring Dec. 31, requires a 60 percent supermajority to pass.
In the Forks Community Hospital District, 4,229 ballots were mailed, 979 returned, and turnout was 23.15 percent on the proposed property tax levy of 24 cents per $1,000 assessed property value.
Forks Hospital officials could not be reached Tuesday night.
The Clallam County Auditor’s Office counted Tuesday night 21,128 ballots out of 45,156 mailed to registered voters, for a voter turnout of 46.95 percent in special elections for five property tax measures.
Auditor Shoona Riggs said all ballots received by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday were counted that night. She expected about 500 more to come in during the week.
The next scheduled count will be by 4:30 p.m. Friday.
The emergency medical services levy, which will be collected beginning in 2016, will provide funds for emergency medical care or services in the district, including personnel and training costs, equipment, supplies, vehicles and structures.
The district is considering the replacement of one of its three ambulances and needs a larger vehicle to carry the hydraulic rescue tools called Jaws of Life that are used to extricate people from car wrecks, James Chaney, chief financial officer for the hospital, has said.
Funds also will pay for emergency medical supplies and volunteer training and partially reimburse volunteers to help offset their loss of pay when they are called away during work hours.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
