PORT TOWNSEND — Two school levy measures were handily approved on Tuesday night, continuing funding that will be used for maintenance and operation of the Chimacum and Brinnon public school districts.
“I am extremely pleased with the support from the Chimacum community for their schools,” said Chimacum Schools Superintendent Rich Stewart after the vote was announced at the Jefferson County Auditor’s office.
“We will use these dollars wisely for the benefit of our children.”
Of 3,903 Chimacum votes cast, 2,491, 65.57 percent, were in favor and 1,422, 36.43 percent, opposed.
In Brinnon, the margin was narrower but no less decisive.
Of 482 votes counted, 265, 54.98 percent, were in favor and 217, 45.02 percent, were opposed.
By Election Night on Tuesday, the Auditor’s Office had received 3,903 ballots, or 45.81 percent, of the 8,526 issued in the Chimacum School District election, and 482 ballots, or 50.31 percent, of the 958 issued in the Brinnon school’s election.
Both measures replace levies due to expire this year, with collection beginning in 2015.
The three-year Chimacum levy is expected to raise $9 million for the district over three years, assessing $1.67 per $1,000 of property value in 2015, $1.83 in 2016 and $1.99 in 2017. The current rate is $1.52 per $1,000.
Brinnon’s two-year levy does not increase from the present rate of $1.06 per $1,000 of property value — meaning a person owning a $200,000 home pays $212 a year.
It is expected to bring in $605,042 over two years.
There are no ballots left to count, although there were 56 undeliverable ballots in both elections.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
