Triple Triumph for Local Levies

WAITSBURG - Voters showed strong sup­port for schools and emergency medical services by saying yes to replacement maintenance & op­erations levies for Walla Walla County EMS and Waitsburg and Prescott School Districts on Feb. 11. Preliminary results - to be certified on Feb. 25 - show all three levies passing by substantial margins. Each levy needed 50% + 1 vote to pass.

The Walla Walla County EMS replacement levy passed with an overwhelming 84% approval vote. A total of 11,102 voters cast their ballots with 9,327 in favor of the levy and 1,775 opposed. The levy is a continuation of an existing levy of $0.50-per-$1,000 of assessed value that has been in effect since 1990 and renewed every six years since.

Six years ago, the levy passed by 72% and the levy before that passed by 74%. "Walla Walla county citizens have always been very supportive of EMS," said Walla Walla County EMS Director Patricia Courson. "This is not true of all communi­ties; we are very fortunate here. I was fairly confi­dent that it would pass, but having it pass with an 84% approval rate was a pleasant surprise."

Prescott School District passed their replace­ment levy with a strong 76.88% approval vote. Of 160 voters in Walla Walla County, 123 voted in favor of the levy and 37 opposed. The levy sought $2.33 per $1,000 or assessed value and will provide the district with $615,000 per year for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years. Though the overall levy amount is higher than the prior levy of $585,000, rising property values result in a de­creased cost per $1,000.

Prescott School Superintendent Brett Cox said that Prescott has historically passed its levies with approval votes in the mid 60% range. "The Prescott School District would like to thank voters for their support of public schools," he said.

In spite of a significant increase in the two-year levy request amount - from $882,000 in 2012 to the current $1.08 million - Waitsburg voters approved the replacement levy with a 64.23% ap­proval vote. Of 355 voters, 228 voted in favor of the levy and 127 voted against it. Superintendents Carol Clarke cited technology needs as the main factor in the increased request amount.

Clarke said that the 64% approval rating is consistent with past elections and demonstrates a community that values education and its stu­dents. "Once again, the community of Waitsburg has shown great support for our schools and its programs. And, for that, the staff and I are most appreciative. The best part is that our students are the real winners. Thank you," said Clarke.