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POSTED: Friday, Mar. 27, 2009

Whatcom County Library System to ask voters for more money

Saying they can't keep up with expenses without an increase in property tax dollars, the Whatcom County Library System and its supporters plan to go before voters in November to ask for more money.

This year, those living in the Rural Library District -basically everyone who lives outside of Bellingam - 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 hasn't determined the new rate yet but said homeowners in the taxing district could expect to pay an additional $20 to $25 annually if voters approve the request for what is known as a "levy lid 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.

"If you think about the increases in everything from wages and benefits and books and utilities, it's well over 1 percent a year. It's an impossible situation to live under," said Joan Airoldi, director of Whatcom County Library System, which is comprised of nine branches in unincorporated parts of the county and its cities as well as the Bookmobile.

At the existing rate, the Whatcom County Library System will receive a little more than $5.4 million in property tax revenue this year through the Rural Library District.

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.

"It's fairly likely because I think it has to be up to the voters what kind of library services they're willing to pay for," Airoldi said.

The measure would need a simple majority to pass. If it fails, the most likely fallout is that libraries would be open fewer hours, but Airoldi said it's too soon to say more.

Bellingham residents would not vote on the request. Bellingham Public Library is a separate organization.

Airoldi and supporters, who include members of a new political action group called Yes, Libraries, acknowledged it's a tough time to be asking voters for more money.

"We know it's a really difficult time. It's not that we're insensitive to the state of the economy and people's situations," Airoldi said. "We certainly would be judicious in whatever we do."

Airoldi and others will reach out to communities within the Rural Library District to explain why the increase is needed. The first meeting is set for April 28 at the Lynden Library.

"I would encourage them to be open minded and to come to the community meetings that we're planning," Airoldi said of would-be voters.

Among the supporters is Blaine resident Richard May, who also is a member of Yes, Libraries.

"I'm no fan of taxes. I just differentiate between the thousands of dollars I send to federal taxes as opposed to this extra $20 that's going to result in books, DVDs, and story time for my toddler," May said.

Neal Bittner, the treasurer for Yes, Libraries, lives in Bellingham but his business is in Everson, where he uses the library. Like others, he doesn't want to see open hours shortened.

"Particularly in this time, where library usage has increased, we want to keep it open," Bittner said.

Public librarians in the state, including locally, have said more cost-conscious consumers are turning to libraries because of the recession, opting to borrow books and DVDs instead of buying them, for example.

Whatcom County Library System last asked for a levy lid lift in May 1980. More than 60 percent of the voters approved that request, Airoldi said.

More recently, voters in 1994 approved a special levy for purchase of computers and software.

Whatcom County Library System is not alone in turning to voters. Other public libraries in the state are struggling to keep up with increasing costs and inflation, saying the 1 percent cap coupled with a drop in revenues they receive from new construction have stretched their budgets to the breaking point.

Sno-Isle Libraries, which has 21 libraries and a bookmobile serving residents of Snohomish and Island counties, is considering a levy lid lift. So are Orcas Island Library District, Asotin County Library and North Olympic Library System.

Port Townsend voters gave the go-ahead to a lift on Aug. 19.

But the five-county Timberland Regional Library lost its bid Feb. 3, a casualty of the economic meltdown.

"If it had been in 2008, it would have passed," said Jodi Reng, executive director of Timberland Regional Library. "I think we didn't have a chance that particular week because that was when the economy found its handbasket and headed south."

As a result, the library system is cutting back on open hours at all of its branches, its budget for books as well as all travel and training. It likely will have to implement staff furloughs, Reng said.

"I sure wish Whatcom County all the luck in the world," she said. "When the taxes aren't there, the only thing you can cut is services."

For her part, Airoldi expressed faith in Whatcom County voters.

"I feel confident that Whatcom County people understand the values of libraries and will help us through this process," Airoldi said. "We are trying to be responsible."