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Five Spokane County Ballot Measures Are On Their Way To Victory

Doug Nadvornick/SPR

Each of the five Spokane county measures on Tuesday’s ballot are on their way to being approved.

Voters in the city of Spokane have agreed to pay more property taxes to supplement the police and fire budgets. Proposition 1 received about 64% of the initial round of votes counted Tuesday night. The measure would allow the city to hire 20 new police officers and retain at least 30 of the 48 firefighters hired more than a year ago with money from a federal grant. City officials expect to be able to keep the other 18 through attrition and money saved due to changes in pension contributions.

After the vote was announced, Spokane Mayor David Condon released a statement:

“While I wish we had been able to work together with City Council on a public safety investment plan that was collaborative and designed to meet specific measurable outcomes, Spokane voters clearly have told us they would like enhanced public safety services. So, we will deliver a thoughtful spending plan for those dollars that’s sustainable as part of the 2020 budget."

Three other Spokane County fire levies are also on their way to approval.

Credit Doug Nadvornick/SPR

More than 74% of voters in the Spokane Valley Fire Department said yes to a four-year levy that replaces an expiring levy. The measure includes money to build a new fire station near Liberty Lake and a new vehicle maintenance facility.

Voters in Fire District 8 in south Spokane County and Fire District 13 at Newman Lake also approved replacement levies. The tallies were 80% in District 8, nearly 82% in District 13.

In the one non-first responder vote, nearly 72% of patrons in the Orchard Prairie School District said yes to a replacement levy.