Update: Voters make Benton County public safety tax permanent. Fire levies close calls

Millions of dollars in funding for police, firefighters, paramedics and hospitals were on the ballot Tuesday night in the Tri-Cities area.

Voters had some tough choices to make — from renewing a sales tax that pays for 55 officers at Benton County agencies to a fire district tax levy request that will help cover Burbank’s growing industrial area just outside of Pasco.

So far, all but one of the measures is heading for approval, but with rural areas ballots counted in the coming days could shift races.

Here’s where these safety focused ballot sales tax and property tax measures stand with the first round of ballots in.

Public Safety Sales Tax

Benton County’s Public Safety Sales Tax is headed toward renewal, despite reservations over spending and the lack of a sunset clause.

Tuesday night, the “yes” votes were overwhelmingly ahead with nearly 74%, or 22,055 votes. The “no” votes were at 26%, or 7,883 votes.

The sales tax, which was first passed in 2014, is split 60-40 between the county and cities, allocated based on population. It pays for 55 officers across the county. It also helps to fund therapeutic courts, law enforcement technology, prosecutors, public defenders, gang prevention initiatives and more.

The tax was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024. Proponents argued against a sunset because they believe it is a need that will not go away, and as the tax base grows, so too will the need for services it pays for.

The sales tax is 0.3%, or 30 cents on a $100 purchase. It’s currently bringing in about $8 million annually.

Franklin County Hospital District 1

Franklin County Public Hospital District 1 serves the northern portion of the county, including Connell, Mesa and Basin City.

After Wednesday’s count the “Yes” votes are outpacing the “No” votes at 61%, or 748 votes for approval and 39%, or 485 votes, against.

Their call volume is up more than 20% in just the past two years, but they haven’t asked for a levy lid increase sine 1970.

The district has relied on volunteers to fill funding gaps, but increase populations mean they need to hire more first responders, as well. They also have significant facility needs to address.

Because they haven’t asked for a levy lid lift in so long, the rate has fallen to 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. They’re asking to bring it up to 40 cents.

Franklin County Fire District 3

Franklin County Fire District 3 is also asking for help. They provide fire and EMS services in the southern portion of unincorporated Franklin County.

After Wednesday’s count, the “no” votes are outpacing the “yes” votes at 55%, or 774 votes against approval and about 45%, or 621 votes for.

Their last levy increase was five years ago when voters approved a rate of $1.27 per $1,000 in assessed property value.

Fire District 3 officials say call volume has jumped significantly higher than they anticipated, with calls for service up nearly 50%. That increase is leaving them with overlapping calls about a third of the time, meaning residents are having to wait longer for help.

They’re asking voters to increase the levy rate to $1.57 per $1,000 of assessed value. That rate would help pay for additional firefighters, equipment and facility renovations.

Walla Walla County Fire District 5

Walla Walla Fire District 5 provides emergency services in the Burbank area, just outside of Pasco. They’re asking for voters to approve a 24-cent increase to their levy rate.

No new vote count was planned Wednesday in Walla Walla County. As of Tuesday night, the “yes” votes are outpacing the “no” votes at about 52%, or 251 votes for approval and nearly 48% or 229 votes against.

The fire district hasn’t asked for a levy lid lift in 30 years, and their rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value has since compressed to $1.14. Officials say it isn’t generating enough revenue to keep up with growth. Burbank is also in the midst of rapid industrial growth.

They’re asking for voters to lift the lid to $1.38 per $1,000 of assessed value to help pay for more firefighters and EMTs.

This story was originally published November 7, 2023 at 9:35 PM.

Cory McCoy

Tri-City Herald

Cory is an award-winning investigative reporter. He joined the Tri-City Herald in Dec. 2021 as an Editor/Reporter covering social accountability issues. His past work can be found in the Tyler Morning Telegraph and other Texas newspapers. He was a 2019-20 Education Writers Association Fellow, and has been featured on The Murder Tapes, Grave Mysteries and Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen.