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Royal City voters approve fire district merger; Soap Lake voters mixed

by CHARLES H. FEATHERSTONE
Staff Writer | April 28, 2020 11:22 PM

EPHRATA — Voters in and around Royal City overwhelmingly approved merging the area’s two fire districts, while Soap Lake School District voters approved the district’s replacement levy but appear to have rejected a construction measure.

In Royal City, a measure merging Grant County Fire District Nos. 10 and 11 passed handily, 208 to 20 — a 91 percent “yes” vote, according to preliminary results available Tuesday evening from the Washington Secretary of State’s Office.

The two districts already function as one district, and the merger, which would be effective on July 31, will simplify administration by reducing to one the number of elected boards overseeing Royal City fire and emergency services.

In Soap Lake, according to preliminary results, voters approved 257 to 238, 52 percent to 48 percent, a four-year replacement levy estimated at $2.50 per $1,000 in assessed value to help the district pay for music, sports, technology and extracurricular activities.

Local replacement levies need 50 percent plus one vote to pass.

However, district voters appear to have rejected a two-year, $1 million construction levy, 269 to 230, or 54 percent “no.” Proceeds from the levy, which were estimated at $2.21 per $1,000 of assessed value in the first year and $2.07 in the second year, would be used to upgrade the district’s transportation facility, implement district-wide security improvements and improve the heating and air conditioning system at the middle school and high school complex.

While bonds issue measures need a 60 percent supermajority to pass, construction levies only need 50 percent plus one.

The election results are scheduled to be certified on May 8.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at cfeatherstone@columbiabasinherald.com.