Whatcom County Library meetings to explain tax request

KIE RELYEA - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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Whatcom County Library System officials will hold 12 meetings throughout the county to explain why more tax dollars are needed to maintain current levels of service and staffing.

The system and its supporters plan to go before voters in the Rural Library District - essentially those living outside Bellingham - in November to ask for what is known as a "levy lid lift" because, they say, they will be unable to keep up with expenses without an increase in property tax dollars.

This year, those living in the taxing district are paying 33 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $82.50 for the owner of a home assessed at $250,000.

The library system is still determining the new rate but said homeowners in the district could expect to pay an additional $20 to $25 annually if voters approve the request for the lift.

Such a request must go before the public because Initiative 747 limits property tax collection increases to 1 percent per year unless voters approve more.

Joan Airoldi, the system's director, will lead the meetings.

The lift will go on the ballot for the Nov. 3 general election if the Whatcom County Library System's board of trustees decides to do so, which Airoldi has said is likely.

Meeting dates and locations are:

Birch Bay: May 13, 7 p.m., Bookmobile stop at Bay Center Market, 8050 Harborview Road, 384-3150.

Blaine: May 6, 2 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd St., 332-8146.

Deming: April 30, 7 p.m., Deming Library, 5044 Mount Baker Highway, 592-2422.

Everson: May 7, 9 a.m., McBeath Community Library, 104 Kirsch Drive, 966-5100.

Ferndale: May 7, 1 p.m., Ferndale Public Library, 2222 Main St., 384-3647.

Lummi Island: May 6, 7 p.m., island library, 2144 S. Nugent Road, 758-7145.

Lynden: April 28, 7 p.m., Lynden library, 216 4th St., 354-4883.

Maple Falls: May 5, 7 p.m., Maple Falls Library, 7509 Mount Baker Highway, 599-2020.

Point Roberts: May 4, 7 p.m., Point Roberts Library, 1487 Gulf Road, 945-6545.

South Lake Samish: May 12, 7 p.m., Old Lake Samish Fire Hall, 705 W. Lake Samish Drive, 384-3150.

Sudden Valley: May 4, 3 p.m., fire station, 2050 Lake Whatcom Blvd. Parking only for disabled attendees is at the fire station. Otherwise, use the parking lot just south of the Gate 1 security office. 384-3150.

Sumas: May 11, 7:30 p.m., Sumas Library, 451 2nd St., 988-2501

Officials would appreciate an RSVP.

Learn more by going online to wcls.org and yeslibraries.com.