Library Levy vote Aug. 4
Check your mailboxes after July 17th when this year’s primary ballots will be mailed to residents of Island County and Washington state. There are some important issues to consider voting on including Prop. 1, a ‘Regular Property Tax Levy Lid Lift.’
Proposition No. 1 proposes to lift the levy lid from the current .30 per $1000 of assessed valuation to .47 per $1000 of assessed valuation, effective in 2027. For example, if your home is worth $650,000, your maximum payment to support libraries would be about $305, up from the current rate of approximately $195. The legal limit restricts a maximum levy rate to .50 per assessed valuation.
Library tax revenue comprises 3.29% of Snohomish County’s tax distribution; and 4.04% in Island County.
The Sno-Isle Library website lists a number of frequently asked questions regarding the proposed levy lift:
- Why is this vote happening now? It has been eight years since the library levy was last restored, and the Library District is no longer able to keep up with rising costs and growing library use. It is necessary to avoid reductions to library services at Sno-Isle Libraries.
- Why is this vote important? Because the library levy makes up 91% of Sno-Isle Libraries budget, it has a strong impact on the services Sno-Isle Libraries is able to provide.
- If the library levy restoration is approved, Sno-Isle Libraries will be able to: Maintain current staffing and library open hours; continue buying books, eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming services; Keep offering early learning and literacy programs like Storytimes and Bookmobile visits; continue providing public access to computers, laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, and printing; and stay up to date with technology upgrades and building maintenance.
- If the library levy restoration is rejected, Sno-Isle Libraries will need to: reduce staffing and library open hours; decrease the budget for books and digital materials, which could mean longer wait times; reduce early learning and literacy programs like Storytimes and Bookmobile visits; limit access to computers, laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, and printing; delay technology updates and building maintenance.
Furthermore, the website explains what a levy is:
What is a levy?
A levy is a tax that’s collected for a specific purpose. Many community services are funded through property tax levies, like schools, fire departments, parks — and your library system. Find out where your property taxes are going by visiting these websites: Island County. Snohomish County.
Is the library levy new?
No, this is not a new levy. Levies are normal funding for public libraries in Washington state.
How much of the Sno-Isle Libraries budget does the library levy provide?
The library levy provides 91% of Sno-Isle Libraries budget.
Why can’t the library receive funding from other sources?
The library does receive funding from other sources, including Washington state grants, investments, donations, contributions from the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation, Friends of the Library book sales, and other taxes, but these make up a small fraction of its budget.
What is the difference between a levy and a levy rate?
Think of a levy as the total amount raised. A levy rate is the amount someone pays per $1,000 of assessed property value.
If property values increase, does a levy increase by the same rate?
No, because there is a legal limit to how much a levy can increase every year without voter approval.
How much can a levy increase per year without voter approval?
Under Washington state law, the total amount a district collects from a regular property tax levy can only increase by 1% a year, even if inflation or service demands rise faster than that. This 1% cap was created to protect taxpayers from unpredictable increases in tax bills due to rising property values.
Does library funding stay the same?
No, the library levy rate falls over time. As the total value of property in the Library District increases, the tax rate drops so the Library District doesn’t collect more than the allowed 1% increase.
Is there a way to increase a levy by more than 1% in a year?
The only way to do this is through voter approval, and that is what this year’s vote on the library levy is about. This is a normal, predictable part of library funding in Washington state, and it is the reason the Library District asks for a rate increase every several years.
What does it mean to “restore” the library levy?
State law allows Sno-Isle Intercounty Rural Library District (the “Library District”) to collect up to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value per year to fund general operations and maintenance. For example, the library levy rate is currently $0.3039084203 per $1,000 of assessed value. Sno-Isle Libraries is asking voters to reset the levy rate to its 2018 level of $0.47 per $1,000 of assessed value.
What is a levy “lid lift”?
A levy lid lift is a term used in local government finance that refers to a voter-approved increase in property tax limits. A levy “lid lift” is the tool voters use to temporarily increase a levy beyond the 1% limit — to restore it back to its original rate.
How often is this on the ballot?
It is common for library districts to return to voters every several years to restore their library levy to keep up with rising costs. In 2018, Sno-Isle Libraries leadership projected the library levy would support services for seven years. The Library District has exceeded its commitment to voters by maintaining the current levy despite rising costs and a greater demand for its services.
Why is the rate increasing?
State regulations cap annual property tax revenue growth for libraries at 1%. As total property values in the district grew, the tax rate was automatically adjusted downward to prevent collection from exceeding the 1% limit.
Sno-Isle Libraries maintain 23 libraries—five in Island County, and 18 in Snohomish County.
Exemptions for the levy rate increase include seniors and people with disabilities. Sno-Isle Library is an independent library district, and funds are audited for accountability. Ballots must be postmarked/received by Aug. 4th.
To learn more, read your Voters’ Pamphlet. Visit Sno-Isle Library’s website to learn more on the proposed ballot measure.