SPOKANE, Wash. — South Spokane County voters will decide again on a fire district levy they already approved in April after officials discovered they filed the original measure incorrectly.
Fire District 8 submitted the first levy with Consumer Price Index information that is only permitted on ballots during August primary or November general elections, according to the district’s legal counsel. The error requires voters to cast ballots again on the same measure by Aug. 5.
Voters approved the original levy in April with 57% support. The district decided to rerun the levy in August to potentially add more paramedics at its fire stations.
The levy would generate funding for two additional paramedics.
Some voters interviewed were unaware the levy had appeared on the April ballot but indicated they plan to support it during the second vote.
“I think so, I’d like to read a little bit more about it. But generally speaking, I think so,” said Rich Beavan, a local voter. “If they’re short on resources and it helps response times and saves people’s lives, I’m probably leaning in that direction.”
If passed, the levy would raise property taxes by 21 cents per $100,000 of assessed value. For a home valued at $750,000, the increase would amount to approximately $13 per month.
Fire District 8 officials said levy funding would also replace aging emergency equipment, including cardiac monitors and defibrillators that need updating.
The district mailed primary election ballots earlier this month. Voters must return completed ballots by Tuesday, Aug. 5.
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