All levy renewals proposed by Tri-City school districts except for one were passing Tuesday night in the February special election. Pasco residents also were passing a measure to have the city formally join Mid-Columbia Libraries’ taxing district, which will levy a new property tax. 

Kennewick School District's four-year renewals of its Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) and Safety, Security and Instructional Technology Improvements levies had 55% and 54% approval by voters, respectively. They will collect property taxes of $29.5 million and $8.5 million, respectively, beginning in 2027. 

Richland School District’s four-year renewals of its Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) and Instructional Technology Improvements levies were passing by slightly narrower margins with 53%. They will collect property taxes of $43.8 million and $8.7 million, respectively, beginning in 2027. 

Voters were rejecting Pasco School District’s four-year renewal of its Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy. It only had 48% approval. The district was anticipating it to collect more than $35 million beginning in 2027 if it passed. 

Levies in the small outlying school districts of North Franklin and Kahlotus were also passing. 

More than 60% of Pasco voters said yes to joining the taxing district for Mid-Columbia Libraries. The library district currently operates the two libraries in Pasco on a contract with the city. By joining the taxing district, city residents would directly fund library operations via a new property tax of 23 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value, which would provide an estimated $3 million to the library district. 

The number of ballots counted on election night in Benton County totaled 24,643, or 21%, and 225 ballots have been challenged, meaning voters may not have signed the return envelope, or the signature doesn’t match what’s on file. Benton County projects there are 10,000 ballots left to count. 

Franklin County ballots counted on election night totaled 9,594, or 20%, and 129 ballots have been challenged. 

The next results update will be Feb. 11. 

Ballots will continue to be counted until the election is certified on Feb. 20.