The Covington Transportation Benefit District has failed to clear the 50 percent yes hurdle with nearly all the ballots counted since the April 28 special election.

The latest tally posted Tuesday at the King County Elections website had the proposition losing with 1,278 yes, 48.05 percent and 1,382 no, 51.95 percent.

The proposition gained some ground since Election Day when the measure was down with 1,206 voting no, 53.27 percent, and 1,058 voting yes, 46.73.

Covington City Manager Regan Bolli wrote in an email Tuesday, “If Proposition 1 does not pass, as is expected, it will be extremely difficult to maintain current levels of service on our streets and sidewalks and make it much harder to fund an additional police officer. We will be going back to the drawing board to determine the best and most efficient way to proceed.”

The benefit district would have authorized a 10 year 0.002 sales tax increase or 20 cents for every $100. The revenue was planed for improvements and maintenance of streets and sidewalks.

The same proposition went before the Covington voters in 2013 during the November general election and narrowly lost by 39 votes.

The King County public safety radio network replacement proposition passed by about 65 percent. The proposition will levy a property tax of .07 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation for nine years beginning in 2016.

The King County Canvassing Board will meet to certify the election May 12.