Whatcom County EMS levy passes, barely

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Whatcom County voters have approved a local measure to raise property taxes to fund emergency medical services by a very slim margin.

The results of the Nov. 8 election have been certified and Proposition No. 2016-1 passed by 40 votes out of 107,019 ballots cast for the measure, which required a 60 percent margin to pass.

The Bellingham Herald reports the final tally was 64,252 to 42,767, a margin of 60.04 percent.

Even though the EMS levy result was close, state law doesn't allow for an automatic recount of ballot propositions, as is required with neck-and-neck contests involving candidates for public office.

Turnout for the election was 82.56 percent.