Lopez Island Library District is asking voters to consider a measure on the Aug. 5, 2025, ballot to restore the property tax levy that funds operations and services of the library. This is not a new levy. The ballot measure asks voters to adjust the current levy rate of $0.30 per $1,000 assessed property value to $0.48, a change of $0.18 per $1,000 assessed property value. The library is asking now in response to increased costs, demand for services, and an unstable funding environment at state and federal levels.
Property tax levies are the chief source of funding for most library districts in Washington State. Here on Lopez, the Lopez Island Library District levy provides 90% of the library’s budget.
The most recent levy lid lift was approved by Lopez voters in 2019 at the rate of $0.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Since then, that rate has depreciated and is currently $0.30 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Since 2019, the cost to operate the library has significantly increased, primarily due to inflation. In addition, federal and state funding to libraries has become unstable and threatens our ability provide services previously supported through subsidies or consortium pricing. For instance, our broadband Internet, WiFi, and access to electronic resources such as eBooks and audiobooks through Libby.
Additionally, in 2024 the library conducted a Facilities Condition Assessment, a thorough top-to-bottom look at all the library’s infrastructure. This identified more than $2M in building and property maintenance needs; such as, replacing a leaking roof, upgrading the electrical system, modernizing the lighting system, replacing failing and energy inefficient windows, re-engineering the HVAC system, repaving the parking lot, and more.
State law allows library systems to request up to $0.50 per thousand dollars of assessed value. Lopez Library is asking for what is needed, not the maximum allowed. In today’s market, a levy rate of $0.48 per $1,000 of assessed value will provide sufficient funding to support current services and will sustain the library into the future.
A YES vote means:
- Maintain current open hours, staffing, and services
- Continue supporting a robust collection of library materials, including physical and digital items
- Address important building maintenance and facilities needs with resources for “Project Little Red”
- Continue providing a wide variety of programming for all ages
A NO vote means:
- Reduce open hours, staffing, and eliminate services
- Reduce investment in library books and other materials, including physical and digital items
- Cannot address important building maintenance and facilities needs
- Reduce variety of programming for all ages
How would this new levy rate affect my property taxes?
Property tax levies are the chief source of revenue for library districts in Washington. Lopez Island property taxes provide 90% of the Lopez Library’s budget. If approved by voters, this proposition would authorize the library to restore its property tax levy rate from its current level of 30 cents to 48 cents per 1,000 dollars of assessed value.
For a $600,000 property, owners would pay $9 more a month.
For more information, visit the Levy Summary Flyer and Levy FAQ