Publication Notes

"The Seattle City Council is currently considering a property tax measure to go before voters in August that would add supplementary funding for Seattle libraries from 2027-2033. Mayor Katie Wilson proposed a $410 million levy renewal, almost twice as much as the expiring $219 million levy. It adds more activities, workshops and security. It buys additional books and e-books, funds maintenance and repairs, and strengthens IT systems. The average annual cost for owners of a median assessed residential propeorty of about $850,000 is expected to be $163. The city's 2026 levy rate would go from $2.96 to $3.03 if the levy is approved at the ballot box. Under state law, Seattle may not charge more than $3.60 per $1,000 of property value within city limits. Over the last three years, Seattle voters have passed the three largest property tax measures in the city's history--for education, transportation and housing. There are real trade-offs to consider in how much a ballooned libraries levy would impact other priorities." (See Editorials, Seattle Library Levy Renewal Shouldn't Break Taxpayers," Seattle Times, 04/07/2026, p. A7.)