Keep an eye out for your ballot for the February special election, which includes levy renewals for all three Tri-City school districts and a proposal to have the city of Pasco formally join the taxing district for Mid-Columbia Libraries. 

Voters must have their ballots either dropped in an official ballot drop box or received by their respective county’s auditor’s office by 8 p.m. Feb. 10. 

Voting advocates advise those mailing their ballots to have them to the post office as soon as possible due to recent changes at the U.S. Postal Service regarding postmarks. 

Here’s what’s on the ballots: 

Benton County 

• Kennewick School District: Proposed four-year renewals of the district’s Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) and Safety, Security and Instructional Technology Improvements levies. If approved by voters, they would collect property taxes of $29.5 million and $8.5 million, respectively, beginning in 2027. 
• Richland School District: Proposed four-year renewals of the district’s Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) and Instructional Technology Improvements levies. If approved by voters, they would collect property taxes of $43.8 million and $8.7 million, respectively, beginning in 2027. 

Franklin County 

• Pasco School District: Proposed four-year renewal of the district’s Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy. If approved by voters, it would collect $35.5 million in property taxes beginning in 2027. 
• North Franklin School District: Proposed two-year renewal of the district’s Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy. If approved by voters, it would collect $2.5 million in property taxes beginning in 2027. 
• Kahlotus School District: Proposed two-year renewal of the district’s Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O). If approved by voters, it would collect $140,000 in property taxes beginning in 2027. 
• City of Pasco: A proposal to have the city be annexed into the taxing district for Mid-Columbia Libraries. The library district currently operates the two libraries in the city on a contract with the city. If approved by voters, city residents would directly fund library operations via a new property tax of 23 cents for $1,000 in assessed property value, which would provide an estimated $3 million to the library district.