Douglas County Fire District 4’s proposed property tax increase is failing by just 10 votes, but it’s not over yet.
There are still 1,400 ballots left to tabulate throughout Douglas County for the Nov. 6 election. Friday afternoon will be the last count before the election is certified Nov. 27.
Of the 512 votes counted by Wednesday afternoon, 261 (50.98 percent) were against. A simple majority of voters — 50 percent plus one — must approve the measure in order for it to pass.
“We’re still hopeful, but not too hopeful,” Fire Chief Jim Oatey said.
He said the measure would raise the tax from 67 cents to 97 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value from 2019-21. The tax currently brings in about $275,000 per year and the increase would raise about $550,000 annually.
Based in Orondo, Fire District 4 serves the area from Turtle Rock to Beebe.
Money from the tax increase would go toward replacing aging fire trucks; buying gear, fuel and insurance; and building two fire stations, one as a replacement for the station near Lone Pine.