EMS levy in Airway Heights too close to call; Spokane EMS levy in trouble

Airway Heights Fire Department Fire Chief Mitch Metzger is anxiously watching the daily election tallies to see if his department’s first emergency medical services levy has squeaked to a win.

The levy, which requires a supermajority of 60 percent approval to pass, stood at 59.5 percent approval on election night. Wednesday’s vote count pushed the percentage to 59.9 percent.

There are still about 300 ballots to be counted from Airway Heights and Metzger said he is “cautiously optimistic.”

“We were hoping for Christmas, where we would come in on Nov. 4 and it would be decisive one way or the other,” he said. “It is difficult to sit and wait.”

An EMS levy in Spokane County Fire District 2 passed easily, as did fire department levies in Rockford and Spangle. A police services levy in Spangle also passed with resounding approval.

The renewal of an EMS levy in Spokane County Fire District 12, however, appears to be in trouble. It had only a 52 percent approval vote as of Wednesday evening. The levy in the all-volunteer district raised about $23,000 in 2013, accounting for more than half the budget.