Voters have narrowly approved a ballot proposal to fund the county’s emergency services, by 64,252 to 42,767 votes, a margin of 60.04 percent, according final election figures from the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office released at 5:15 p.m. Monday.
Because it is a property tax, local Proposition No. 2016-1 required a 60 percent approval margin in order to pass.
Election certification is scheduled Tuesday.
“I’m pretty elated,” said Bellingham Fire Department firefighter Robert Glorioso, president of Local 106 of the International Association of Fire Fighters. “I’m pretty happy and honored that the folks of Whatcom County chose to support our EMS service.”
Brett Bonner, who was part of a group opposing the measure, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.