Tax increases pass for rural Scott County towns

A tax increase in the Village of Kelso passed with 95 percent of voters approving the increase.

In a vote of 61 for and 3 against, voters passed an increase of 13 cents per $100 assessed valuation for general municipal purposes and for four years, beginning in 2014, for fire protection.

The city of Morley will get its tax increase, but with a close vote.

With 51 for and 43 against, voters passed a one-half of 1 percent city sales tax to fund the fire department. The tax, which passed with 54 percent of the vote, will take effect Jan. 1, 2015, and expire Dec. 31, 2019.

The city had discussed the possibility of closing its fire station and becoming part of the Scott County Rural Fire Protection District, which has a fire station in Morley.