Election results: 3 Tri-Cities area school levies fail by wide margins
Three levies to support rural Tri-City school districts on the Feb. 11 special election ballot have failed.
The taxes represent nearly $10 million in local investment that would fund crucial programs, including basic education, athletics, supplies, operating costs, safety improvements and technology upgrades.
As of Friday morning, about 1,700 ballots were left to count, according to Benton County Elections. More than 13,700 ballots have been counted countywide so far. A sales tax in Richland to build a performing arts center was also on the ballot.
Both Kiona-Benton City School District and Finley School District asked voters to renew their programs and operations levies. Additionally, Finley was asking for a new two-year capital levy to pay for security and technology improvements.
All three measures would have taxed property owners in 2026 and 2027.
In Washington state, local levies fund learning and education programs. They require a majority greater than 50% to pass.
While Washington state pays for “basic education” through a per-pupil apportionment, local dollars that come from levies fund the difference between what the state provides and what school districts need to serve every student. The state often rewards poorer school districts for funding their schools with local taxes by providing a state match called “local effort assistance.”
School districts collect the total amount of the levy, not the rate. That means that if assessed values rise more than what districts forecast, then the rate is likely to fall.
Ki-Be Replacement Levy
Ki-Be’s $4.9 million replacement programs and operations levy failed with 48% support, or 676 votes. About 52%, or 742 votes, were opposed.
The difference is 66 votes. About 1,400 ballots have been counted so far.
The levy would have continued to pay for athletics, advanced courses, music programs, safety staff, technology support, special education staff, nurses, counselors and teachers to keep class sizes small.
The estimated tax rate would remain the same at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. The burden on a home valued at $400,000 would be $600 annually, or about $50 per month.
School tax rates have been steadily declining since 2017, the district says. Local levy funds make up about 8% of Ki-Be’s budget.
Finley Replacement Levy
Finley’s $4.4 million replacement programs and operations levy — Proposition 1 — was failing with 45% support, or 373 votes. About 55%, or 448 votes, were against it.
The difference is 75 votes. About 820 ballots have been counted so far.
The levy would have paid for teachers to keep class sizes small, support staff, school safety measures, instructional materials, special education, athletics and building maintenance and operations costs.
It would collect an estimated $2.50 on every $1,000 of assessed value. The burden on a home valued at $400,000 would be about $1,000 annually, or $83 per month — an increase of about $316 from the current levy rate.
That rate is greater than what it has levied over the past two years, about $1.70 per every $1,000 of assessed value. Voters often never end up paying the proposed rate due to rising property values, the district says. For example, Finley’s 2023 levy listed a rate of $2.25 on the ballot when in reality it taxed a rate of $1.70.
Finley would also receive an additional $421,000 in state match if the levy passes. About 12% of the Finley School District budget comes from local levy and state matching dollars.
Finley Technology and Security Levy
The district’s $410,000 capital levy to fund technology upgrades and modernizations, as well as safety and security improvements at schools — listed as Proposition 2 — was failing with 47% support, or 390 votes, to 53% opposition, or 435 votes.
The difference is 45 votes. About 820 ballots have been counted so far.
The levy would have taxed 23 cents on every $1,000 of assessed value. The burden on a home valued at $400,000 would be about $92 annually, or $8 per month.
Several pieces of hardware in the district are in need of replacement, including its firewall, Wi-Fi access points, servers and security cameras. The levy would also fund the replacement of student and staff laptops.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 8:48 PM.
