To The Polls: South Sound Voters To Decide Fate of Pierce Transit Measure

South Sound voters will help determine the fate of Pierce Transit today.

Although mail-in ballots were sent out two weeks ago, voters can drop off their ballots, which includes the transit measure Proposition 1, at the .

The would increase local sales taxes by 0.3 percent in Pierce County, or 3 cents for every $10 taxable purchase. That represents the final funding allotment Pierce Transit is allowed to ask from residents.  Proposition 1 would preserve current service levels and work toward the goal of providing financially sustainable public transportation.

If the measure fails, however, the agency would reduce service by 35 percent. In University Place, two routes would be reduced if Proposition 1 fails. The 52 Route between Tacoma Community College and the Tacoma Mall would pick up every peak hour rather than every 30 minutes, which it does now. It would also offer reduced weekend service.

The 53 Route in University Place would also be reduced to every hour during peak hours, and it wouldn't offer any weekend service.

Lakewood voters to decide merger

Although University Place residents won't get to cast a ballot in the , many eyes will be on what their neighbors do today.

After more than a year of planning and combining operations in preparation for the creation of West Pierce Fire and Rescue, Lakewood voters will actually decide whether it should be official.

Even though Lakewood Fire covers almost twice as many people, officials project the move for UP to "absorb" Lakewood would actually save taxpayers $1 million annually under state law, whereas they would up spending more if Lakewood absorbed UP.

But opponents, especially ones from UP, say they doubt the move could save University Place money, and it would take eliminate one of the agencies that gives UP its identity.

Check back for updates tonight.