Kitsap Regional Library levy increase gets 75 percent ‘yes’ vote on Bainbridge

Bainbridge Islanders overwhelmingly voted in support of Proposition 1, the property tax levy increase for the Kitsap Regional Library, according to an analysis of unofficial returns from island precincts in Tuesday’s election.

Prop. 1 passed countywide with a 63.4 percent “yes” vote in the most recent tally of ballots from the 2017 General Election.

On Bainbridge Island, however, the “yes” vote was 75 percent overall in favor of the measure.

Every precinct on Bainbridge voted to approve the levy increase at a higher rate than the countywide average.

Prop. 1 saw its greatest support in Winslow, according to unofficial returns, where it passed with 85.3 percent of the vote.

The proposal — which will pay for expanded programs and hours of operation, including Sunday service, as well as salary increases and technology upgrades — also did well in the precinct of Blue Heron, where it passed with an 81.2 percent “yes” vote.

The “yes” vote was above 70 percent in 20 of Bainbridge’s 22 precincts.

The softest support, but still above the countywide approval rate, could be found in the precincts of Wing Point (67.6 percent) and Meadowmeer (64.1 percent).

Out of Kitsap’s 210 precincts, Prop. 1 was voted down in 24 precincts (although 15 precincts reported no votes on Prop. 1, or did not report the vote total due to confidentiality restrictions).

The property tax increase was rejected mostly in precincts in the southwestern corner of the county, near the Mason County line, or in South Kitsap near its border with Pierce County.

The biggest rejection of the proposal came in Twin Lakes, where 66.6 percent of voters cast “no” ballots.

Voters in the precinct of Belfair Valley rejected Prop. 1 with 63.1 percent in opposition, followed by Bremerton Precinct 7 (north of 18th Street between Chester and Warren avenues) at 60 percent.

Prop. 1 was also unpopular in the precincts of Lost Highway (58.5 percent) and Whispering Pines (58.1).

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