Voters appear to have rejected a measure to create a regional fire-service authority in north Clark County and the city of Woodland, according to early election results released Tuesday night.
In Tuesday’s special election, 46.49 percent of voters approved of the measure, while 53.51 percent voted against it. A total of 4,648 ballots were counted by Tuesday night, with voter turnout hovering slightly above 20 percent. More ballots are expected to be counted in the coming days.
The measure asked voters whether to approve consolidating finances and resources for the city of Woodland; Fire District 2, which covers some northern parts of Clark County; and Clark County Fire & Rescue, which serves La Center, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, Woodland and other parts of north county.
The measure garnered the most support in Woodland, where 52.24 percent of voters approved the measure, according to initial results. Woodland Mayor Grover Laseke told the city council that the measure would likely leave the city with an operating budget shortfall of around $221,700 next year.
Woodland has been looking for solutions to its long-running struggle to fully staff and fund the city’s fire department. Currently, the city contracts with Clark County Fire & Rescue; the fire authority would create more of a long-term relationship and give Woodland officials more control over the system. Five commissioners, including two from Woodland, would run the fire authority.
Advocates say the altered structure would streamline fire services for north Clark County and Woodland, getting responders to the scene of an emergency quicker.
It would be funded by a property tax levy of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed home value for homeowners in the service area. The rate equates to $375 a year for a home valued at $250,000.
The agency would provide fire and emergency medical responses to Woodland, Ridgefield, La Center and some unincorporated parts of north county. Though the city of Battle Ground has stayed out of the process, it would get help from the new agency through a contract.
The elections offices in both Cowlitz and Clark County will keep tabulating votes over the next several days, as mail-in ballots trickle in.
