Fire Bond Referendum Results As They Happen

LATEST ELECTION RETURNS (8:30 p.m.)

"Shall general obligation bonds in the aggregate amount of up to $6,000,000 be issued by the City of Canton to finance the acquisition, design, and/or development of up to three new fire stations, to renovate the downtown fire station, and to finance the acquisition of new fire-fighting vehicles?"

TOTAL VOTES: 731

Just over 700 votes have been tallied in today's fire bond referendum, and so far, the results are not promising for those wanting to see three new city fire stations.

According to the Georgia Secretary of State's website, 70.86 percent of voters have opoosed the up to $6 million bond, with all of the six precincts involved officially reporting their vote totals.

If the referendum passes, the city will take up up to $6 million in bonds to pay for the construction of fire stations at Laurel Canyon, Canton Marketplace, and The Bluffs and renovate the downtown fire station. The new fire stations will improve insurance rates for homes and businesses in Canton and decrease response times.

Critics of the bond have cited ambiguous cost projections and instead support consolidating fire services with Cherokee County, a move that the Canton City Council rejected in June, 2012.

Stay with Canton-Sixes Patch as the election results come in.