Two levies pass in primary, two at close call

* This story has been updated to reflect election results as of Aug. 8*

Colfax — Two of the four levies on the Aug. 6 Primary Election ballot have passed in the first night of vote counts, Aug. 6.

Farmington Proposition 1, Resolution 421-24, currently has 53 votes counted, with a total of 25 yes, 47.17 % and 28 no, 52.83%, leaving it too close to call as of Aug. 8.

Farmington Proposition 2, Resolution 421-24 had 54 votes counted, 26 yes, 48.15%, and 28 voting no, 51.85%, also leaving it to close to call.

“I remain optimistic,” Farmington Mayor Blanche Rhea said. “Even after the polls close there are even more votes that can come in.”

“The street maintenance (Prop. 1) covers potholes, if we have a gutter flood, or a chipped out sidewalk or curb or painting stripes down the middle of the road,” Blanche said.

Blanche said Proposition No. 2 operates the town.

“It’s hard if we don’t get these,” Blanche said. “We have to tighten our belts really tight, and only spending what we have to spend and you can only do that for so long.”

Whitman County Fire Protection District No. 7, Proposition 1, is passing with a total of 236 votes, 192 yes, 81.36%, and 44 voting no, 18.64%.

“Our voters have always supported it immensely,” Rosalia Fire Chief Laura Lautenschager said. “All of the money that is brought in by that tax levy goes towards the upkeep of the ambulance that provides emergency, equipment, supplies. It pays for fuel. It basically helps that ensure that we even have an ambulance at all.”

The Town of Garfield Prop. 1 Street Levy is currently passing with a total of 128 votes, 86 yes, 67.19%, and 42 no, 32.81%.

Mayor of Garfield Jarod Pfaff was not available for comment at the time of press.