The proposed Eastside Regional Fire Authority is lacking in initial ballot counts Tuesday evening, according to King County election results.
The measure that would allow King County Fire Protection Districts 10 and 38 to merge into one fire authority needs 60 percent approval to pass. On election night, it received 55.74 percent.
"I was hoping for a bigger number," said Commissioner Don Smith of Fire District 10.
King County will certify all votes from the April ballot on May 6.
Smith attributed the 'no' voters, 2,268 ballots to 2,856 so far, to the general lack of understanding regarding the regional fire authority.
But it's simple, he said: It's not introducing another levy. It's just two districts, with shrinking revenues and increasing costs, merging together to better support the people and their fire and emergency needs.
"[The districts are] smaller than they ever were in the past," he said.
King County Fire District 10 serves Carnation and the unincorporated areas of May Valley, Tiger Mountain, Mirrormont and Preston. Fire District 38 serves the unincorporated areas around North Bend and Snoqualmie. Eastside Fire and Rescue, which includes Districts 10 and 38, additionally serves the cities of Issaquah, Sammamish and North Bend.