The Toledo School District’s levy renewal and both Lewis County Fire District 17’s levy lid lifts were passing as of initial counts on election night Tuesday, according to data released by the Lewis County Auditor’s Office.
The preliminary results released at 8:05 p.m. on April 23 show the Toledo School District replacement educational programs and operations levy passing at 53.28%, or 869 votes, in favor to 46.62%, or 759 votes, against.
If passed, the levy would allow the Toledo School District to collect a total of $1,640,000 in 2025, $1,780,000 in 2026 and $1,930,000 in 2027. The estimated levy rate would be $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed value. The money would go toward the district’s educational programs, services and operational needs, including teaching, instructional materials, special programs, activities, sports, technology systems operations, transportation costs, facility maintenance and non-capital expenses.
“Thank you Toledo for supporting the work our schools do for kids!” the Toledo School District said in a Facebook post on election night.
Preliminary election results show Lewis County Fire District 17’s two proposals each passing with 63.27%, or 31 votes, in favor and 36.73%, or 18 votes, against.
If both measures are passed, District 17’s levy lid will increase by $1 per $1,000 of assessed value for fire services, and increase by 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for EMS services. The district’s current fire levy rate is 59 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The district’s current EMS levy rate is 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
“To permanently guarantee EMS and fire services for the community, the district is pursuing a merger with Pierce County Fire District 23, but first must more closely align its tax rates with those of the other district,” District 17 said in a statement about the election on Facebook in March.
The Lewis County Auditor’s Office counted a total of 1,677 ballots on election night, estimating the voter turnout to be 44.11%.
An updated count was set to be released at https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20240423/lewis/ at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 24. Election certification will take place on May 3.
