AN ORDINANCE relating to regular property taxes; providing for the submission…

This ordinance is a local ballot referral measure, meaning the city council is not directly imposing a new tax but rather asking residents to vote on whether to authorize one. Under Washington State law (RCW 84.55), regular property tax levies are capped at a 1 percent annual increase. A 'levy lid lift' like this one allows a municipality to temporarily exceed that cap if approved by voters. The proposed levy would last up to seven years, after which it would either expire or require renewal.

The fiscal impact on individual property owners depends on the levy rate set, which is typically expressed in dollars per thousand dollars of assessed property value. That specific rate is not detailed in the ordinance text itself, as it is usually defined in the accompanying ballot proposition language. Homeowners, landlords, and businesses that own taxable real property within the city would all see an increase in their annual property tax bills if the measure passes.

The ordinance identifies several spending priorities: sustaining current library operating hours (suggesting without the levy, hours could be cut), maintaining and expanding collections and technology, continuing community programming, and performing a seismic retrofit on one library facility. The seismic component is a capital expenditure aimed at making a building safer during an earthquake, which is a relevant concern in the Pacific Northwest given the region's seismic risk.

Historically, library levy lid lifts are a common funding tool in Washington State because library systems often rely on property tax revenue that does not keep pace with rising operational costs under the standard 1 percent cap. Communities across the state, including King County and its cities, have used similar mechanisms to sustain public library services. The measure reflects a broader national trend of voters being asked to directly fund public services as state and local budget pressures grow.

Stakeholders affected include library patrons (especially lower-income residents who rely on free library resources), property owners facing higher taxes, city budget administrators, library staff whose jobs may depend on sustained funding, and emergency preparedness planners who have an interest in the seismic retrofit component.

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The City Council has passed an ordinance placing a property tax measure on the August 4, 2026 ballot. If approved by voters, the measure would allow the city to collect property taxes above the standard limit set by Washington State law for up to seven years. The money would fund library operating hours, book and digital collections, technology access, community programming, and a seismic safety retrofit of one library building. The levy lid lift mechanism requires voter approval before any additional taxes can be collected.

Supporters of the measure, typically library advocates, educators, and community organizations, argue that libraries are essential public infrastructure that serve residents who cannot afford private alternatives. They point to the seismic retrofit as a necessary safety investment given the earthquake risks in the Pacific Northwest, and they contend that a seven-year funding commitment allows the library system to serve residents reliably rather than lurching from one budget cycle to the next.

Opponents generally raise concerns about the added burden on property owners, including homeowners on fixed incomes and small landlords who may pass costs to renters. Some fiscal conservatives object to routinely exceeding the levy cap that state law established as a guardrail on local government growth. Others question whether combining ongoing operational costs with a one-time capital project in a single ballot measure gives voters a clear or fair choice.

For ordinary residents, the practical stakes are straightforward: a yes vote means a higher property tax bill for up to seven years in exchange for sustained or expanded library services and a safer library building. A no vote avoids the tax increase but risks service reductions that library officials say are likely without the additional revenue. The decision rests entirely with local voters on Election Day in August 2026.