Election Results: Levy failure means big cuts for Tri-City area district
.JPG "Kiona-Benton City School District administration offices at 1107 Grace in Benton City.")
The Kiona-Benton City School District looked poised to cut $1 million from its budget after its operations levy was failing in initial election results.
More than 1,600 ballots have been tallied so far, as of Wednesday evening. Support was at 48%, or 770 votes, while opposition was at 52%, or 830 votes.
It needs a simple majority, more than 50% support, in order to pass.
The small Benton County district serving 1,400 students is asking for voters to renew a two-year, $4.9 million levy to support programs not covered by basic education money from the state. It’s the last chance for voters to renew the tax before the district plans to cut $1 million in services.
The levy would fund teacher salaries, athletics, music and band, advanced courses, school trips, support staff, facilities operations and maintenance, special education services, counselors, nurses and safety staff.
The measure would have kept rates flat at about $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed home value. On a home valued at $300,000, the annual tax bill currently would be about $450. However, it’s possible that rate could be lower if assessed property values continue to climb.
If passed, Washington state would also chip in more than $1 million over the next two years for Kiona-Benton City schools through the Local Effort Assistance program, which provides money to property poor districts.
With a levy failure, the district will cut nearly all sports programs; elective classes such as band, choir and leadership; and scale back electives, such as STEM, robotics, art, computer instruction and physical education.
Benton County election officials will update their results 4 p.m. on Thursday. About 11,000 ballots still need to be counted.
Franklin Fire 1 levy passing by 7 votes
Franklin County Fire District 1’s effort to pass a levy lid lift to adequately fund fire and EMS services was barely passing by seven votes.
On Tuesday night it had 52% support, or 87 votes, to 48% disapproval, or 80 votes.
Franklin County election officials planned to update their election results before 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The agency asked voters to more than double its levy rate, from 39 cents in 2024 to 85 cents on every $1,000 of assessed property value. The last year the agency had levied a rate that high was back in 2007.
The increase amounts to an extra $135 annually on a home valued at $300,000.
The fire agency serves more than 2,500 rural residents across a sprawling 411 square miles in north Franklin County. The levy — the district’s only source of recurring revenue — has declined in recent years as costs for service and labor have gone up.
The district is limited to a 1% annual budget increase without a vote of the people. This is the second time the agency has gone to the voters to ask for a levy lid lift since its formation in 1945.
Since 2005, calls have gone up 300%. Over the last six years, truck maintenance and insurance costs have both doubled. Fuel, equipment, radios and training materials have also all gone up.
The additional revenue would help the agency maintain its fleets, expand services, lower insurance rates and provide firefighters with crucial training.
A similar measure failed last November by nearly 100 votes.
Election results will be finalized and certified Nov. 25 by county canvassing boards.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 9:44 PM.
