Lewis County Fire District 6 (LCFD 6) is passing its levy lid lift, as of preliminary election results released Tuesday night.
As of 8:04 p.m. Tuesday, 58.65% of district residents (2,067 voters) had voted to approve the measure, while 41.35% (1,457 voters) had voted to reject the measure.
An updated ballot count is expected on Wednesday afternoon. The election will be certified on Nov. 24, 21 days after election day.
A total of 33,294 ballots had been counted in Lewis County as of election night, a voter turnout of 55%.
The proposed measure, if approved, will allow the district to increase its levy rate from the existing $0.79 per $1,000 in assessed property value to $1.15.
The tax will be assessed in 2026 and collected in 2027. Under state law, the maximum tax levy rate for fire districts is $1.50 per $1,000 in assessed value.
LCFD 6 serves the Adna community and surrounding areas of Chehalis, covering 142 square miles.
According to district officials, the funds will help cover equipment replacement and infrastructure improvements, keep current staffing levels, and maintain current emergency response times.
The fire levy has not had a lid lift in more than 20 years, district officials said. Voters passed a 10-year emergency medical services levy in 2022.
“Due to the statutory 1% limitation on property tax increases, the Fire District's current levy has dropped to approximately $.79 per thousand in 2026,” the district wrote in an explanatory statement before election day. “With the impact of the recent city of Chehalis annexation, the anticipated levy rate for the remaining fire district areas is expected to be $.99 per thousand of assessed valuation.”
The possible levy lid lift comes as LCFD 5 and Lewis County Fire District 6 (LCFD 6) continue their search for a joint fire chief. The search has narrowed to three candidates: James Damico, Dominick Swinhart and Joe Sykora. Damico briefly served as interim fire chief of LCFD 6 in 2024.
The districts will hold a candidate meet and greet Nov. 12.
LCFD 6 has been without a chief since January.
Former LCFD 5 Interim Fire Chief Gregg Peterson retired at the end of August, following his fourth stint leading the Napavine-based department.
