Voters in Spokane County voted yes on levies proposed in February's special election.
On Tuesday evening, voters passed a levy to increase property taxes in order to fund public safety efforts and a replacement levy to help fund Spokane Valley Fire Department’s maintenance and operations.
Elections results are available here.
Four of the measures deal with replacing existing or expiring levies. One — City of Spokane Proposition 1 — is a proposal to raise a levy lid. All deal with property taxes.
Proposition 1 relates to a property tax levy passed by the Spokane City Council in December that would provide funding for “police and fire personnel and crime reduction programming.”
The proposition passed with 64 percent of the vote.
The proposition will add an additional 30-cent tax per $1,000 of assessed property value starting in 2020, according to the Spokane County Elections website.
Ahead of the vote, Spokane Mayor David Condon said he was concerned there had not been enough consideration of the cost of equipment and support staff to increase the number police and firefighters.
Condon issued a statement on the passage of the levy saying, "While I wish we had been able to work together with City Council on a public safety investment plan that was collaborative and designed to meet specific measurable outcomes, Spokane voters clearly have told us they would like enhanced public safety services. So, we will deliver a thoughtful spending plan for those dollars that’s sustainable as part of the 2020 budget.”
Spokane Valley Fire Proposition 1 passed with 74 percent of the vote.
It will replace an expiring levy and increase property taxes to fund operations and maintenance for the SVFD.
This proposition, which was adopted by the Spokane Valley Board of Fire Commissioners, replaces an existing levy to fund maintenance and operations for the department.
Taxes imposed by the levy will start being collected in 2020. The first two years of the levy would see $1.90 in taxes for every $1,000 of evaluated property, according to the Spokane County Elections website.
Spokane Fire Protection District 8 Proposition 1 passed with 80 percent of the vote.
It will replace an expiring levy and increase property taxes to fund maintenance and operation costs for SFPD 8.
This proposition, similar to the proposition put forward by the Spokane Valley Fire District, will replace an expiring levy to fund maintenance and operation costs.
The levy should add 50 cents in tax on every $1,000 of assessed property value, according to the election website.
Spokane Fire Protection District 13 Proposition 1 passed with 82 percent of the vote.
It will also replace an expiring levy and increase property taxes to fund maintenance and operation costs for SFPD 13.
This levy differs from the other two fire district levies in that it is runs for six years instead of four. It is, however, similar in that in covers the maintenance and operations costs, this time for EMS in the district.
It will also replace a levy that expires at the end of the year, like the other fire district levies, according to the proposition. This district covers the Newman Lake area.
The levy, brought forth by the Newman Lake Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners, will put a 50-cent tax on every $1,000 of property value, according to the resolution.
Orchard Prairie School District 123 Proposition 1 passed with 72 percent of the vote.
It will replace an expiring levy and increase property taxes to fund educational programs not covered by the state at OPSD.
This two-year tax levy will also replace an expiring levy for the school district, but only would last for two years.
According to the election’s website, it should help cover expenses not funded by the State of Washington.
The levy will place a $1.17 tax for every $1,000 of property value in the first year and $1.14 in its last year. This will provide $125,000 in revenue each year, according to the resolution.