North Whidbey voters passed a renewal levy that will allow the North Whidbey Parks and Recreation District to keep the Oak Harbor pool open, according to the first count of ballots in the Nov. 8 election.

The results posted Tuesday night showed that the renewal levy received more than the 60 percent supermajority needed to pass. A total of 4,751 voters, or 62 percent, cast ballots in support of the measure, while 2,914 people voted against it.

The renewal levy will bring in approximately $550,000 a year. Property owners will pay 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Craig Carlson, the director of the district, was thankful to voters, especially after the levy failed in the primary election.

“We also have to thank the campaign committee that went out and really educated the community and helped them to better understand what the district is all about,” he said.

Oak Harbor also elected a new mayor. Incumbent Mayor Jim Slowik is trailing far behind challenger Scott Dudley in the initial ballot count. Dudley, currently a councilman, received 2,025 votes, or 56.5 percent. Slowik garnered 1,558 votes, which is 43.5 percent.

Dudley stressed that his success in the election is really a win for the citizens of Oak Harbor.

“The old ways of doing business in the city are over,” he said. “A new day is upon us, no doubt.”

Dudley added that he’s looking forward to rolling up his sleeves  and getting to work.

“We have both opportunities and challenges,” he said.

In the race for the only open council seat, newcomer Tara Hizon is ahead of political veteran Paul Brewer. Hizon has 1,942 votes, or 56 percent, while Brewer has 1,543, or 44 percent.

It appears that incumbents will hold onto their seats in the other two council races. Councilwoman Beth Munns is ahead of Larry Eaton by 1,866 to 1,469 votes, which is 56 to 44 percent.

Councilman Rick Almberg has an even greater lead over his challenger, Mel Vance. Almberg has 1,972 votes, or 62 percent, and Vance has 1,224.

In the only contested position on the Oak Harbor School Board, Christine Abbott is far ahead of John Worthington. Abbott has 3,359 ballots cast in her favor, which is 59 percent, while Worthington has 2,359.

As for Fire District 2, Larry Wall is ahead of incumbent Commissioner T.J. Lamont by 1,923 to 1,672 votes.

In the race for a seat on the Port of Coupeville commission, Laura Blankenship is ahead of Mike Diamanti. Blankenship has 60 percent of the vote with 1,725 ballots cast in her favor. Diamanti has 1,128 votes.

The Island County Auditor’s Office estimates that there’s 1,400 ballots left to count.