Fire District 6 levy passes, Lake Wenatchee bond shows narrow approval

CHELAN COUNTY — Ballot measures for Chelan County Fire Districts 6 and 9 found early success in the preliminary results of Tuesday's special election. One has secured a landslide win; another holds a razor-thin margin, with 787 countywide ballots left to count.

Voters gave the greenlight to a levy rate of $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed value for Chelan County Fire District 6 (CCFD 6) – the first voter-approved levy increase in its 70-year history. The measure passed with 71 percent approval, or 892 yes votes to 366 no votes.

Chelan County Fire District 9, or Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue (LWFR), asked voters to authorize a $15 million bond to support improvements to existing stations and new construction. The measure, which needs a 60 percent supermajority to pass, is currently ahead with 60.2 percent approval, or 431 yes votes to 285 no votes.

The bond would fund the construction of a new 13,300 square-foot central station and a 6,200 square-foot Training/Emergency Operations Center (EOC). According to LWFR, the new construction would ease storage issues at other stations, provide living quarters for 24-hour staffing, have a larger training and multi-purpose space, and create capacity for wildfire management teams when needed. 

The measure received a mix of support and criticism leading up to the election. Supporters saw it as essential for public safety, with the estimated $25 monthly cost on a $500,000 home a small price to pay. Critics challenged the cost and necessity of the new station and EOC building, while also questioning the fire district's lack of communication leading up to the ballot.

CCFD 6, whose coverage area spans from Blewett Pass to Monitor and includes areas of Cashmere that sit outside of city limits, faced a far less contentious campaign. With the previous rate, the fire district was operating on an annual budget of $425,000 and facing $10.7 million in critical unmet needs, such as failing equipment, noncompliant gear, and deteriorating stations. 

The measure's passage averted significant service cuts the fire district was prepared to make, such as eliminating Emergency Medical Services in January 2026, considering station closures, and potentially suspending motor vehicle accident responses. The new rate will provide CCFD 6 with a $750,000 annual operating budget and $1.21 million a year to address its needs, shrinking the deficit to an estimated $3.52 million in six years.

The next ballot count is scheduled at 4 p.m. on Aug. 6.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media