Please use the following survey to provide the San Juan Island Library with feedback about the proposed Library operational levy lid lift.
In August 2024, the Library will ask for an operational levy lid lift. The Library has been frugal and strategic with its annual funding but needs to ask for a levy lid lift in order to sustain the current level of library services, programs, and collections. This is needed money to fund the Library’s operations, not a new library building.
Note that:
- The Library’s last levy lid lift in 2011 was intended to last through 2018. Careful budgeting doubled this time to 2024.
- The operational budget with a 1% cap on levy increases cannot keep pace with inflation and normal expenses; the 2011 levy reserves are now depleted.
- The new levy lid lift would adjust the levy rate to 41 cents per $1,000. For a $750,000 home, that would result in an estimated $113 annual increase.
- Operations on the current budget without an increase in revenue will result in reduced programs, collections, and services; staff cuts; reduced hours and deferred building maintenance.
- The Library’s important role in the community, with extensive programming, resources, and access to information, requires an increase in revenue to maintain these services.
- None of the funds from a levy lid lift will be used for the new library building project. The funds are solely for strictly library operations and maintenance.
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This initiative would need a simple majority to pass.
