SNOHOMISH AND ISLAND COUNTIES — Voters in Snohomish and Island counties will decide on August 4 whether to restore (a renewal of) the property tax levy that provides the majority of funding for Sno-Isle Libraries, a regional library district serving more than 800,000 residents through 23 locations. Ballots for the election are scheduled to be mailed July 17.
The ballot measure asks voters whether to restore the library levy rate to $0.47 per $1,000 of assessed property value, the same rate approved by voters in 2018. If approved, the levy rate would increase from its current level of approximately $0.304 per $1,000 of assessed value. If rejected, the levy rate would remain unchanged.
The levy was advanced by the Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees at their meeting on March 23.
According to Sno-Isle Libraries, levy funding accounts for 91% of the library district’s operating budget, making the outcome of the vote a significant factor in determining future library services. The district says the current levy, approved eight years ago, has reached the end of its planned funding cycle as operating costs and public demand for services have increased.
The library district describes the measure as a levy restoration, sometimes referred to as a “levy lid lift,” a mechanism under Washington law that allows voters to approve an increase above the annual 1% growth limit placed on regular property tax levies. State law generally limits the total amount a taxing district can collect from a regular levy to a 1% increase each year without voter approval, regardless of inflation or growth in service demand.
Sno-Isle Libraries officials say that as property values increase, the levy rate gradually declines because of the statutory cap on revenue growth. The district reports that the levy rate has fallen from $0.47 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2018 to approximately $0.304 today. The proposed measure would restore the rate to its previous level rather than create a new tax.
Library leaders cite increased usage as a key reason for seeking additional funding. According to district data, annual library material checkouts increased from 7.6 million in 2018 to 10.8 million in 2025. Wi-Fi sessions grew from 2.2 million to 2.8 million during the same period. Printing activity also rose substantially, reaching 1.26 million pages in 2025.
The district says approval of the levy restoration would allow Sno-Isle Libraries to maintain current staffing levels and operating hours, continue purchasing physical and digital materials, support literacy and early-learning programs, provide access to technology such as computers and Wi-Fi hotspots, and keep pace with facility maintenance and technology upgrades.
If voters reject the measure, the district says it would need to reduce staffing and library hours, decrease spending on books and digital materials, scale back literacy and outreach programs, limit access to technology resources and postpone some maintenance and technology projects.
Sno-Isle Libraries projects that, without additional funding, it would face an operating deficit of approximately $1.9 million in 2027, growing to $4.3 million in 2028. Library officials say those projected deficits would require reductions in services and operations.
For property owners, the financial impact would vary based on assessed property values. The library district estimates that restoring the levy would increase annual property taxes by approximately $124.25 for a median-valued home in Snohomish County, assessed at $748,100, and by about $106.32 for a median-valued home in Island County, assessed at $640,150. That equates to roughly $10.35 per month and $8.86 per month, respectively.
The proposed levy rate of $0.47 per $1,000 of assessed value remains below the state-authorized maximum of $0.50 per $1,000 that the library district may collect for operations and maintenance.
According to Sno-Isle Libraries, library taxes represent a relatively small portion of overall property tax bills. The district estimates that library funding accounts for approximately 3.29% of total property taxes in Snohomish County and 4.04% in Island County.
The district receives some funding from grants, investments, donations and contributions from organizations such as the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation and Friends of the Library groups. However, library officials say those sources represent only a small portion of overall revenue compared with levy funding.
Sno-Isle Libraries serves communities across Snohomish and Island counties and offers a range of services beyond traditional book lending, including internet access, technology lending, educational programming, job-search assistance, community events and early literacy programs. Library officials say those services have seen increased demand in recent years.
The August election marks the first levy restoration request from Sno-Isle Libraries since voters approved a similar measure in 2018. Library officials note that returning to voters periodically for levy restorations is a common funding practice for library districts in Washington state because of the annual 1% cap on levy growth.
Ballots will be mailed July 17, according to the district. To be counted, ballots must be postmarked by Election Day or deposited in an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. Aug. 4. Voter registration information and election details are available through Washington state election resources.
The outcome of the vote will determine whether Sno-Isle Libraries restores its levy rate to the level approved eight years ago or continues operating under its current funding structure.
According to library officials, the decision will shape future staffing, service levels and access to library resources throughout the district.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
