PORT TOWNSEND — Measures that will increase fire and EMS property taxes for some Jefferson County residents were still passing after the most recent count of Tuesday’s special election ballots posted by the county auditor.
On Friday, 11,889 votes were counted out of 24,520 provided registered votes for a 48.49 percent voter turnout.
The general fire levy for East Jefferson Fire Rescue (Jefferson County Fire Protection District 1) had 68.41 percent support, or 7,738 yes votes to 3,574 no votes. Its EMS levy had 73.36 percent support, or 8,316 yes votes to 3,020 no votes.
The new tax rates will increase EJFR’s general fire levy from 85 cents to $1.30 per $1,000 of property value and its the EMS levy from 36 cents to 50 cents per $1,000 of property value.
The Brinnon Fire Department’s (Jefferson County Fire Protection District 4) general fire levy had 55.07 percent support, or 288 yes votes to 235 no votes, and its EMS levy had 63.22 percent support, or 330 yes votes to 192 no votes.
Brinnon’s new tax rates will increase the general fire levy from 94 cents to $1.50 per $1,000 of property value and its EMS levy from 36 cents to 50 cents per $1,000 of property value.
The four measures were the only ones on the Feb. 14 ballot and needed a simple majority to pass. Clallam County did not hold a special election.
The latest ballot count can be found on the Jefferson County auditor’s website at https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/1266/Elections.
The last vote count and certification of the election will be on Friday.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at Paula.Hunt@soundpublishing.com
