DISCOVERY BAY — The initial count of ballots Tuesday saw a maintenance and operations levy for Discovery Bay Volunteer Fire and Rescue being rejected by five votes.
The property tax measure had 77 yes votes and 82 no votes, according to the Jefferson County Auditor’s Office. That’s a difference of 51.6 percent to 48.4 percent.
The Jefferson County Auditor’s Office will count a second batch of ballots today.
The proposed levy for Jefferson County Fire District No. 5 needs a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote to pass.
Discovery Bay Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief Willie Knoepfle was not immediately available for comment Wednesday.
The property tax levy would serve as a baseline for computing subsequent levy limitations. It is not to exceed $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.
In February 2016, voters approved a $530,000 bond to replace Discovery Bay Fire and Rescue’s Station 51 at the corner of Bentley Place and East Uncas Road in Discovery Bay.
The all-volunteer fire district serves about 500 residents in a 75-square-mile area from milepost 276 on U.S. Highway 101 east of Gardiner to milepost 286 at Snow Creek Ranch Road south of Discovery Bay.
It provides fire suppression, emergency medical treatment, vehicle crash response, wildfire suppression, safety education and fire inspections.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.