SPOKANE, Wash. — KREM 2 is tracking the results of two special elections happening in Spokane County that impact schools and fire services. The levies needed 60% of votes to pass.
With no more ballots left to count, unofficially, Freeman School District's Proposition 1 has failed, only receiving a 43% yes vote.
Fire District No. 9's Proposition 1 has also unofficially failed. This was much closer, as the levy failed by less than 1%. The proposition received a 59% yes vote. More then 10,000 people voted in this election.
Both communities said it's quite unfortunate.
Spokane County Fire District No. 9 has successfully passed its maintenance and operations levy for the past 28 years. While it appears the levy won't pass, these results are unofficial at this point. The levy would have given the fire district $13.6 million in 2025, $14.2 million in 2026, and $14.8 million in 2027. The levy funds 65% of the fire district's operations.
These include staffing, equipment, maintenance and operating expenses. The fire chief says without this funding, there could be a risk of layoffs and closing down fire stations.
"If we were completely unsuccessful to have approval of the levy, that is personnel, that is equipment, that's fire stations, that is the level of service impacts that we would see to community," Fire District No.9 fire chief Jim Walkowski said.
While the Freeman School District says a failed levy could mean delays in fixing areas of need.
"Right now we don't have any heat in our maintenance shop," Freeman School District Superintendent Randy Russell said. "I know that we need a water suppressor pump, they're going to need to be fixed. And they're expensive to fix them."
The Freeman School District says its levy is to help fund safety, security and facilities. The levy would have given the school district $6 million dollars over three years. The superintendent said he does not foresee layoffs.
KREM 2 received a statement from Fire District 9's firefighter union on the unofficial results. IAFF Local 2916 wrote quote, "The fire district will be forced to severely reduce the level of service we currently provide to the community."
Walkowski says the plan is hopefully put the levy back on the ballot in August. As for the Freeman School District, it can not run the levy again this year.
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