BEAVER — The Clallam County Fire District No. 6 levy lid-lift election was too close to call Tuesday night, with only three votes separating those rejecting it and those approving it.
Fifty-eight people, or 51.33 percent, voted against the measure, while 55 voted in favor, or 48.67 percent.
The levy lid lift measure would increase the property tax rate to 90 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation from the current 53 cents, an increase of 37 cents.
That means the owner of a $200,000 home would pay about $180 per year in property taxes — an increase of $74 annually.
Ballots were sent to the 249 voters within the 30-square-mile district on Quillayute Prairie in the all-mail election. The measure requires a simple majority to pass.
Throughout all of Clallam County, there were 8,531 ballots on hand that had not yet been counted, but there was no way to tell how many of those were in the district voting on the levy, said county Auditor Patty Rosand.
The next count will be today by 4:30 p.m.
The measure would finance improved fire-protection operations, replace apparatus, provide staffing and increase service levels, according to the ballot.
Only by a levy lid-lift vote can the amount collected be increased.
The district budget is about $31,000 per year, while income is $29,400 — which means that $1,600 per year is drawn from reserves.
The all-volunteer district has no paid staff.
The district has a 1984 pumper, a slightly newer water pumper and another four-wheel drive smaller apparatus.
Four under votes, or ballots where neither option was selected, were recorded Tuesday night.
