The Seattle City Council committee has proposed increasing the library levy by nearly $70 million. The total amount of the proposed seven-year levy, which will go to voters in August, now stands at nearly $480 million, significantly above the mayor’s initial proposal. Adjusted for inflation, this is about 70% more than the levy approved in 2019 that expires at the end of this year.
The initiative faced objections from Councilmember Maritza Rivera, who expressed concern about the overall financial burden on taxpayers. She pointed to an approaching legal limit on property taxes the city can levy on residents and the tough trade-offs that creates. In addition to the library levy, Seattle’s constrained tax capacity traditionally must compete with measures to fund schools, public transit, parks, affordable housing and homelessness response. However, most of Rivera’s colleagues on the council backed the increase, arguing it addresses urgent needs of the library system.
The proposal comes at a difficult time for the city budget. Seattle is facing a shortfall driven by rising costs for homelessness programs, higher wages for city employees, investments in infrastructure and declines in some pandemic-era revenues. Inflation and economic uncertainty have compounded those problems, limiting room for new large initiatives.
Seattle’s library system has endured a challenging few years. After the 2019 levy was approved — promising expanded hours and the elimination of late fines — the system was disrupted by the pandemic and related costs. As a result, promises of longer hours only began to be fulfilled in 2023. Many library buildings are in dire need of repair and upgrades. Particular attention is focused on the central library — a 21st-century architectural landmark designed by Rem Koolhaas. The building’s futuristic design and glass facade serve not only as a repository for books but as a community hub, a symbol of innovation and a tourist draw. Its renovation is important for preserving cultural heritage, ensuring accessibility and adapting to modern needs.
Even with the proposed increase, the levy will not cover all needs. Staff estimate deferred building maintenance over the next 10 years will require $167 million. About half of the funds from the new levy would go to maintaining current hours, social services, literacy programs and safety. The council approved nine amendments increasing the initiative’s cost, including millions for repairs to the central library, upgrades to heating and cooling systems, seismic improvements and accessibility compliance.
At hearings, the majority of speakers supported increased funding, citing broken escalators and elevators and arguing that delaying repairs would lead to even higher costs later. But some residents, like Councilmember Rivera, urged caution, citing fiscal constraints. Largely only Rivera voted against expanding the levy’s size, though Councilmember Debora Juarez joined her in voting against two service-related proposals.
The measure will get another vote at a full council meeting before it goes to the ballot on Aug. 4. All recent city property tax measures to raise funds have passed, with the 2019 library levy winning support from about three-quarters of voters. If the current library levy is approved, Seattle would still have capacity for one medium-sized levy within the statutory limit.
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