Timberland Regional Library’s (TRL) levy lid lift proposal, which library leaders and supporters say is essential to avoiding further staff layoffs and service cuts, was passing as of election night.
Voters across the five-county library district voted 55.18%, representing 74,494 votes, in favor of approving the measure, according to the initial tally released 8:22 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
A total of 44.82% of the election night tally, representing 60,515 votes, opposed the measure.
The measure requires a simple majority of 50% plus one vote to pass.
November’s ballot measure is the first time in more than 17 years that the library has sought to raise its levy rate after a 2009 vote was narrowly defeated.
If passed, TRL’s levy would be set at a rate of $0.35 for 2027 and 2028, and increase by a maximum of 1% every year beyond that.
The current rate is about $0.22 per $1,000 of assessed value — about half of the statutory maximum rate of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The average homeowner would pay an estimated $53 more per year if the measure is approved.
The levy lid lift is TRL’s solution to a $3.8 million budget shortfall that has led to layoffs, the resignation of former Executive Director Cheryl Heywood, and the departure of two senior employees who spoke disparagingly about board members and patrons in messages that later became public.
While the Board of Trustees previously floated the idea of waiting up to a year to rebuild community trust before running a levy lid lift, they decided it was in TRL’s best interest to run the proposal sooner due to TRL’s dire financial situation.
The TRL Board of Trustees, TRL administrators, staff and patrons generally agree that TRL needs to pass a levy lid lift by the end of 2027 to stabilize TRL’s budget and prevent further layoffs.
If approved by voters, the measure would provide funding necessary to maintain library services staffing, collections and open hours.
If not approved, TRL said that further reductions in staffing, books and materials, hours, online services, bookmobile services and programming will begin in 2027.
Maintenance and improvements of library facilities could also be delayed, according to TRL.
