OUTCOME: Too close to call.
YES: 49.4 percent
NO: 50.6 percent
Voters were asked to consider an additional sales tax of 0.3 percent to pay for improvements to the transit system that would raise an estimated $270 million in local sales taxes over 10 years.
Under Proposition 1, the sales tax in much of Spokane County would rise to 9 percent, from 8.7 percent currently. STA’s share would be 0.9 percent of that.
The measure included a sunset clause, which will cause the tax to expire in 2025 without voter approval to extend the tax.
The ballot measure calls for a range of improvements that would reach into virtually every neighborhood from West Plains to Liberty Lake, and from north to south. New transit centers, park and ride lots, route amenities, more cross-town service and expanded night and weekend schedules.
The centerpiece of the proposal is a new Central City Line that would run frequent electric trolleys on a fixed route from Spokane Community College to Browne’s Addition by way of Gonzaga University, the University District and downtown.
Spokane County junvenile justice sales tax renewal
OUTCOME: Approved.
YES: 69.2 percent
NO: 30.8 percent
The tax of one-tenth of 1 percent was first passed by voters in 1995 and was renewed in 1998, 2003 and 2008. If voters approve the measure, the tax will continue through December 31, 2025.
East Valley School District levy
OUTCOME: Passing.
YES: 52.5 percent
NO: 47.5 percent
The levy would buy 25 new school buses for East Valley School District’s aging fleet.
Approval would cost homeowners in the district 55 cents per $1,000 of assessed value per year over two years and raise $1.5 million, district officials said.
Cheney School District bond
OUTCOME: Failing. (Requires 60 percent support to pass.)
YES: 54.2 percent
NO: 45.8 percent
Cheney School District is seeking a $44.8 million bond package to expand its high school and pay for safety, security, heating, plumbing and electrical system upgrades. The estimated tax rate for the new bond is 75 cents per $1,000 assessed, which would be added to the current $1.87 rate.
Nine Mile Falls School District bond
OUTCOME: Rejected. (Required 60 percent support to pass.)
YES: 50.7 percent
NO: 49.3 percent
Voters in the rural area north of Spokane were asked to pass a $29.4 million bond to update and restructure Lakeside High School. Approval would add $1.35 per $1,000 assessed property value for a total property tax rate of $2.87 per $1,000.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article, which reversed the results of the STA sales tax proposal, has been corrected.
