Moses Lake, Wahluke props failing, most others passing
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 months AGO
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | February 14, 2024 4:15 PM
MOSES LAKE — All but two school levies that were on the ballot for Tuesday’s special election are passing, according to the Grant and Adams county auditor’s offices. In unofficial results, Wahluke’s capital projects levy is being voted down 245-136, while Moses Lake’s is failing 3,420-3,142.
The Almira School District is approving a three-year levy of $2.40 per $1,000 of assessed property value 96-22, and Warden is passing a two-year educational and operations levy of $2.20/$1,000 165-134, and a two-year $0.20/$1,000 capital levy for upgrading school computers and other technology by a vote of 165-127.
Odessa School District also is passing two levies, the first a one-year EP&O levy of $1.89/$1,000 and the second a one-year capital levy of $0.38/$1,000 The EP&O levy is passing 242-102, and the capital levy 249-93.
Coulee-Hartline’s educational programs and operations levy of $1.35/$1,000 for 2025 and $1.29/$1,000 for 2026 passed 277-86. Soap Lake voters are approving a four-year $2.29/$1,000 EP&O levy 305-241. Royal School District’s levy of $1.72/$1,000 in 2025 and $1.67/$1,000 in 2026 is passing, 274-159, and Wilson Creek’s two-year $2.50/$1,000 EP&O levy is being approved 76-35.
In Adams County, Benge School District voters are approving an EP&O levy of $1.47/$1,000 for 2025 and $1.43/$1,000 for 2026 by a vote of 13-1. Lind School District is approving an EP&O levy of $1.09/$1,000 for 2025 and $0.99/$1,000 for 2026 by a vote of 147-70, and a two-year $0.13/$1,000 capital levy 146-69.
Ritzville School District is passing an EP&O levy of $1.98/$1,000 for 2025 and $1.83/$1,000 for 2026 by a vote of 396-250 and a two-year $0.12/$1,000 capital levy for electronic technology improvements 421-226. RSD voters also are approving a reorganization of the school board from five director districts to three districts and two at-large positions by a vote of 447-171.
Electric City voters overwhelmingly are approving a measure to remove four parcels owned by the federal and state governments from the city limits, 169-40. Because the property is publicly owned, it is not available for development and offers no tax revenue to the city, according to a statement by the city’s attorney Katherine Kenison, and has attracted nuisances like underage drinking and illegal dumping.
Grant County Fire District 8, based in Mattawa, is passing its six-year $0.50/$1,000 levy by a vote of 438-194. Ritzville is passing a $0.15/$1,000 parks and recreation levy 304-138. The money will go toward maintenance and repair of the slide at the Ritzville Water Park and to purchase a new diving board, according to the voter’s guide.
The next vote count will be Feb. 16 in Grant County and Feb. 20 in Adams County. The election is certified Feb. 23.
Joel Martin may be reached via email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.