Spokane County fire districts get voters’ support

Voters in two northern Spokane County fire districts that were slammed in two recent storms won wide support for tax proposals in Tuesday’s primary.

Both tax proposals easily surpassed the 60 percent threshold needed to pass.

A $9.6 million, 20-year bond for Spokane County Fire District 4 to build three fire stations and a fire training center received 65 percent support in the first ballot count Tuesday. The money also will provide new vehicles and equipment for crews and improve communication systems.

“We understand the value of the tax dollar and the importance our citizens place on it,” Fire District 4 Chief Randy Johnson said after results were released.

More than two-thirds of voters approved a special levy for Spokane County Fire District 9 that provides the district 60 percent of its maintenance and operational costs.

The levy renews the same tax rate as the current levy: $179 a year for a $100,000 home. It will provide full-time staffing, paramedic services and immediate incident response from the district’s four fire stations in north-central Spokane County.