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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Valley Fire Levy Goes Down In Flames; District To Try Again

For the first time in more than two decades, the Spokane Valley Fire District’s maintenance and operations levy has failed.

The 1998 levy received 59.2 percent approval, but fell 113 votes short of the 60 percent required for passage.

Valley Fire officials will now take their chances with the general election in November and ask voters to approve the $6.325 million request.

The vote was still too close to call after ballots cast in last week’s primary had been counted, leaving the decision to absentee voters.

But nothing - not even the approval rate - changed after elections officials finished counting 1,835 absentee ballots on Friday.

Assistant Chief Karl Bold said this is the first time in more than 20 years that a Valley Fire levy had failed.

“It’s never been an issue before,” Bold said.

The levy money represents 56.25 percent of Valley Fire’s 1998 operating budget, which is projected to total about $11 million.

Included among budget expenditures for 1998 is the purchase of a new fire truck equipped with a 100-foot mechanical ladder. Fire officials expect the new truck will cost about $480,000.

The ladder truck currently in use was purchased in 1972 and has about 94,000 miles on it.

The remainder of the levy money will be used for general maintenance and operation of the district.

The reluctance of voters to approve the levy surprised Valley Fire officials.

In February, the district’s 1997 levy request of $5.7 million passed with ease, with 78 percent approval. While the total 1998 levy amount increased over previous requests, the amount per thousand remained constant. At $1.49, owners of a $100,000 house would pay $149 a year.

Confusion among voters may have contributed to the levy’s defeat, Bold said. Fire officials received several calls from voters who did not understand that the 1998 request was a continuation of the existing tax, and not a request for extra money.

Bold said he has been told Citizens for Valley Fire plans to launch an education campaign to help clear up any questions voters have before the general election on November 5.

, DataTimes