Preliminary primary election results have been released and the multi-year levy lid lift Lewis County Fire District 3 asked voters to approve is currently being rejected by 17 votes.
A total of 280 Mossyrock area residents voted against the levy lid lift, while 263 supported approving it as of the first ballot count tabulated on Aug. 1.
The current levy rate for district residents is $0.37 per $1,000 of assessed property value. If the resolution is approved by voters, the rate will rise to $0.90 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2024.
Following 2024, the district is also asking the levy increase limit factor to be greater than 4%, or the west region consumer price index for urban areas, but not to exceed 8%, through 2029. The rate wouldn’t exceed the maximum statutory Washington fire district levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The fire district requested this continual levy increase rate to keep pace with inflation while maintaining and funding operations.
In the first round of ballots counted, just 21.82% of Lewis County’s 35,140 registered voters had turned out. Over 7,600 ballots had been counted throughout the county, and the next set of results was slated to come in at 4 p.m. on Aug. 2.
The election will be certified on Aug. 15 at the Lewis County Courthouse.
For questions about the election, visit the Lewis County Auditor’s Office at 351 NW North St., Chehalis or call 360-740-1164.
Full preliminary results from the Lewis County primary election can be found here: https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20230801/lewis/.
