FAIR GROVE, Mo. -- The Fair Grove Fire District is celebrating an election victory by the thinnest of margins. A new fire tax passed on Tuesday by just 8 votes, 342 to 334. 

The fire district encompasses territory in four counties, with the largest section in Greene County, but a tiny sliver of voters in Polk County may have been the difference in putting the new tax over the top.

"One vote or a 1,000 votes, we still won. We got our tax levy passed, so we're very excited," said Fair Grove Fire Chief Mike Armstrong.

The extra $50 a year per each home assessed at $100,000 will allow the district to build a new fire station on Highway KK.

"It'll greatly increase our response time," said Armstrong.

Some residents who feel-overtaxed think this batch of votes should be checked twice.

"Taxes are a big issue in Fair Grove; we're taxed pretty heavily here," said auto dealer Greg Purma.  "I'd like to see a recount to make sure the voting tallies are accurate." 

Counting just the votes from the two counties with the most voters in the district, Greene and Dallas, the issue failed by one vote. In Polk County, however, residents voted in favor of it, 8 votes to 1 vote.  That may have been the difference.

Even in an election this close, there's no automatic recount. Any recount would need to be court-ordered, via petition. But that's unlikely to occur in this instance.  Even Purma believes the 8-vote margin with stand.

In this economy, with cash-conscious voters, Chief Armstrong says a win is a win.

"We got every vote counted and we got it right down to the wire," Armstrong said.

Greene County will certify its election results on Friday.  County Clerk Richard Struckoff said anyone requesting a recount would have to submit a request within 20 days of certification.

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