By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Voters in the Onalaska and Toledo areas appear to overwhelmingly approve continuing their levies for emergency medical services for the fire departments.
Ballots tallied in yesterday’s special election show about 81 percent of those who voted in Lewis County Fire District 1, Onalaska, checked the “yes” box. That’s 525 people in favor compared with 122 opposed, according to the preliminary results from the Lewis County Auditor’s Office Election Department.
In Lewis County Fire District 2, Toledo, nearly 78 percent, or 755 people, voted yes compared with 214 voting no.
They only need 50 percent plus one vote to pass.
Elections Supervisor Mariann Zumbuhl estimates perhaps another 100 ballots will be counted before the vote-by-mail election is finalized.
More than 5,000 people cast ballots in the special election that also included money-raising measures in four school districts.
Each of the fire districts asked to continue for six years collecting property tax money for EMS programs at the same rate as the expiring levies.
For District 1, that is 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed value and for District 2, it is up to 50 cents per $1,000.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Having been the beneficiary of a ride in the Onalaska Ambulance once. I would whole heartedly agree to support the Onalaska Emergency Levy. If I am ever in need of it’s services again, or any of my family. I would hope that we would have the best trained staff with the best lifesaving equipment available to snatch those of us in need back from the brink of deaths darkness. I have been there. Without the Onalaska Ambulance, I wouldn’t be here.