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Voters across Whatcom and Skagit counties generally voted against most local ballot measures in the election Tuesday.
Bonds to rebuild Meridian Middle School and Blaine Middle School appear unlikely to meet the 60% threshold as of Friday night, Nov. 6. Meridian’s $75 million bond sits at 53.03% in favor, with 6,304 votes counted, while Blaine’s $70 million bond sits at 55.85% in favor with 11,788 votes counted. This is the second time Blaine has put its school bond to voters — the measure failed in February by about 5 percentage points.
Meridian Superintendent James Everett said Tuesday night that the district is disappointed in the results, but that he appreciated the support from the community on the bond and the people who volunteered their time to spread the word. He said it’s not uncommon for districts to need to run bonds more than once, so staff will go back and assess the feedback that comes out of this election.
Everett said initial feedback in the process was “heavy support” for addressing safety issues through the bond, but that the way school capital projects are funded — through bond measures — presents challenges, due to the need to pass extra taxes to do so.
“What we understand is that things are tight for families,” he said.
Blaine Superintendent Chris Granger said Tuesday night that there continues to be general community support for the Blaine School District bond, given that it’s continued to secure more than a majority of votes.
“The supermajority hurdle just continues to be something that we’re going to have to battle,” he said.
He thanked all voters for participating in the process and said the district will take some time to reflect on the bond and see what’s next.
Whatcom Fire Protection District 1’s $13 million bond to construct and equip a new fire station currently has 53.58% votes in favor. It also needs a supermajority of 60% to pass. Firefighters said the new station would cut response time and potentially lower fire insurance rates.
Fire Chief Rachel Carlson said in a statement that the fire district is grateful for the “strong voter turnout” in the election.
“At WCFD#1, we remain deeply committed to protecting life and property with the highest levels of dedication and professionalism,” Carlson said in the statement. “You have our assurance that we will continue to uphold the mission and vision of your fire department, striving to meet the needs of our community with the excellence you expect and deserve.”
The Columbia Valley Parks & Recreation District Levy of 60 cents or less per $1,000 is failing as of Thursday night with 39.82% votes in favor with 1,670 votes counted. The levy would allow the district to purchase and create five parks throughout Columbia Valley in East Whatcom County.
Parks Commissioner Melonie Ancheta said on Wednesday that she was surprised by the initial results, given that Columbia Valley residents consistently rank parks and recreation high when asked for their community priorities.
“But if you want that you have to back it up with a vote,” she said. “You can’t say, ‘I want it but oh, I don’t want to have to pay for it.'”
In Skagit County, Guemes Island’s Fire Protection District No. 17’s levy is passing as of Friday night with 81.45% of votes in favor. The ballot measure would restore the district’s tax levy to 50 cents per $1,000 in assessed value to purchase new equipment and help address the increase in calls received by the district. Of the 469 votes counted as of Friday night, 382 were in favor.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.