EMS levy passes easily

OTHELLO — A levy to continue ambulance service was overwhelmingly approved by voters in the Othello Community Hospital district in the primary election Tuesday. In unofficial results, voters cast 681 yes votes and 127 no votes, 84.28 percent saying yes. The levy was the continuation of an existing levy, and required 50 percent approval to pass.

The EMS levy is projected to generate about $525,0000 each year over the six-year period. Property owners will pay about 40 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. A landowner whose property is valued at $200,000 will pay $80 per year.

The committee promoting the levy met to monitor the returns, and “everybody was excited,” said committee chair Bob Carlson. He thanked district voters for their support, and “everybody who did the hard work to get the word out.” District voters recognized the importance of ambulance service, he said. “It's fulfilling a definite need in the Othello area.”

— Staff report