Eight days after special district elections were held, officials from West Metro Fire Protection District said Wednesday they have finished counting the record 34,000 ballots and the tax increase has narrowly failed.
The mill-levy increase was defeated 17,004 to 16,144.
If approved, the three-mill increase would have generated an additional $8.6 million per year for the district; the owner of property valued at $300,000 would have paid an extra $72 a year in taxes.
West Metro spokeswoman Michelle French previously said a recount would be triggered if the difference between “yes” and “no” voters was one-half of one percent or less.
The results will be certified Monday.
The after the economic downtown.
Even after belt-tightening measures, West Metro officials said they have drawn all the money they can from reserve funds and will have to cut service if the proposal fails to pass.
The district collected $35.4 million in property tax revenue in 2013 and had a total budget of $48.1 million.
“The Board of Directors along with the fire chief will have to make tougher decisions moving forward,” a news release from West Metro said. “The Board and the fire chief will have to evaluate the economic struggles the district now faces and the impacts the changes in service will have on our community.”
Board of directors seats
District 1
Cassie Stenstrom 16,964
Fred Clifford 10,196
District 2
Devin Howard 3,201
Marta Murray 15,477
Dan Smith 8,253
District 3
Tony Gonzalez 13,363
Joseph (Joe) Margotte 4,610
Clyde Wadsworth 8,835
District 5
Michael T. Munden 23,267
