With just 6,124 ballots counted in Island County late Tuesday night, most election contests are too close to call, but so far the incumbents in the various races seem to be making a strong showing.
It also looks like a lean fiscal times ahead for both local county and city governments, as the property tax limit initiative, I-747, passes handily.
In the two contested races for Oak Harbor city council seats, former city parks and recreation director Eric Gerber is leading former Whidbey Island Naval Air Station public affairs officer Howard Thomas 320 to 261 votes; incumbent Richard Davis is ahead of challenger Patricia Gardner by 321 to 240.
In the election for Coupeville town council, incumbent Philip Williamson is neck and neck with teacher and community activist Roxallane Kelley Medley, with 166 to 167 votes. Appointed council member Bob Clay has 259 votes while one-time Coupeville mayor and all-around gadfly Ed Spromberg garnered just 46.
In school board races, Oak Harbor school board incumbent Gary Wallin is ahead of challenger John Bartlett by a wide margin. Wallin has 892 and Bartlett has 371 votes. The incumbent is also leading in the only contested race for the Coupeville board of educations. Mitchell Howard has 986 votes and Brian Montana has 506.
In the perhaps the most hotly contested of races on Whidbey, current Admirals Cove Water District commissioner Adel Saba, who was accused of financial misconduct, is ahead of challenger Michael Shannon by 86 to 80 votes. Saba’s political ally, former Admirals Cove Beach Club president Sid Iverson, is ahead of incumbent Howard Duncan by 106 to 59.
In the contest for fire district 2 commissioner, it looks like Ronald Muzzall, with 534 votes, will unseat incumbent Kenneth Buehn, who has 380 votes.
From statewide election results, it seems certain that Mukilteo businessman Tim Eyman’s Initiative 747 will pass. The measure will limit government bodies from raising property taxes by more than 1 percent a year, unless approved by voters in an election.
Officials in both Oak Harbor and Island County have said that passage of the initiative, together with the slumping economy, will mean big budget deficits for local government, especially in the long term. Some leaders have even warned of layoffs of staff.
Support for the initiative was strong in Island County. There are 3,372 votes in favor and 2,622 votes against.
There was especially strong support for the Initiative 773, which will increase taxes on tobacco products to pay for low-income health care programs. There are 4,012 votes in favor and 1,980 votes against.
With all the close counts, some of the elections probably won’t be decided until all the absentee ballots are counted. Island County sent out 21,994 ballots in the mail.