BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Whatcom Fire District 4 levy is passing so far after the updated ballot count.

The measure is currently approved by just over 70% of voters.

If the levy lid lift passes, it would raise the tax rate to $0.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2024.

That would cost the owner of a $550,000 property an additional $198 per year.

Fire District 4 says they need the funds to maintain proper response times and 24-hour staffing of emergency medical services.

The estimated number of ballots left to count wouldn’t be enough to reject the measure.