A second round of ballot counts late Wednesday bumped the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District levy closer to possible approval.
Results show the levy has 58.03 percent voter approval with 3,775 people voting to pass the replacement levy. Initial counts Tuesday night had the levy failing with 54 percent. It needs a 60 percent supermajority to pass.
“Man, it might be a nail biter,” said Commissioner Shane Hoffmire.
According to the Island County Elections Office, there’s an estimated 2,500 ballots left to count.
“Where are the 2,500 votes left to count from will be the question,” Hoffmire said. “If 900 of them are from Oak Harbor, then we might just do this.”
The district board of commissioners has already approved a plan that if the levy doesn’t pass, it will begin suspending the majority of the aquatics programs at the Oak Harbor pool starting Monday, Nov. 13.
“If we can beat that 60 percent number it will be business as usual,” said Executive Director Steve McCaslin.
He added that if the levy hits 60 percent during today’s count, he’s hopeful that number won’t go down with any further stray ballots.
The next count is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today, Thursday, Nov. 9.