While more Rochester and Littlerock area voters have voted in favor of the fire authority’s levy proposal than have voted against it, the two ballot measures hadn’t received the required 60% supermajority as of the latest ballot count.
The levy proposal itself is split into two ballot items, one for each district encompassed by West Thurston, but both proposals ask for the same rates: approximately $1.71 for 2023, $1.63 for 2024, $1.55 for 2025 and $1.48 for 2026.
As of the latest count, West Thurston Fire Authority’s Rochester levy was failing with 1,639 voters in favor, or 55.77%, and 1,300 voters — or 44.23% — opposed. For the Littlerock levy, 1,424 voters were in favor for 55.77% of the total vote and 1,244, or 46.63%, of voters were opposed.
“The consequence of the levy ultimately failing is that we will end up closing 50% of our stations and laying off 50% of our staff. But we will make another attempt at it for the general election in November to get this passed, and it’s going to require a community effort to do this,” West Thurston Fire Chief Rob Smith said Wednesday morning.
The results of the August primary election will be finalized on Tuesday, Aug. 16.
