The Bruce Buchanan Aquatic Center’s operating fee fell back into acceptable range on Thursday.
According to updated election results, the Selah Aquatic Center Maintenance and Operations Levy passed with 60.16% of the total vote, putting it back on track for success.
The result is 1,981 yes votes and 1,312 no votes.
The levy, which covers operating and maintenance costs, must receive at least 60% approval to become law under state law. In previous years, the levy came agonizingly close to passing, with 59.17% of voters supporting it in 2018.
In the current election, initial results showed the measure receiving 60.02% support. Selah Park and Recreation Service Area Chair Kelliann Ergeson said she is “extremely confident” that the measure will continue to receive sufficient support even if more votes come in by mail.
But on Wednesday, the number of yes votes from voters in the Selah school district fell to 59.82%, just below the majority needed for passage.
Ergeson said the aquatics center, which has operated for the past two years with a donation from the Buchanan family, will close if the levy is not approved, but taxpayers will still have to pay back the $6.2 million bond that financed the center’s construction in Wixon Park.
So far, 26,405 ballots have been counted statewide, with 16,961 still to be counted, according to the Yakima County Auditor’s Office. Results will be updated again Friday at 3:30 p.m.
The final election results will be confirmed on August 20.
