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A homeowner would pay an increase of about $32 on a home assessed at $400,000 to restore the library property tax levy rate to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

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PROPOSITION 1

To restore the King County Library System’s (KCLS) property tax levy rate to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2011.

Proposition 1 will be on King, Pierce and Snohomish County ballots for the February 9, 2010 election.

This Proposition provides voters the opportunity to modify KCLS property tax levy limits for one year. The result will determine whether KCLS will maintain the current level of library service or make cuts.

This brochure is provided by the King County Library System to present factual information about Proposition 1 and the impact it will have on libraries in communities served.
This brochure neither supports nor opposes Proposition 1.

The Public Disclosure Commission reviewed KCLS’ information on August 16, 2009.

CURRENT SITUATION

The financial constraints of Initiative 747 (I-747) have an impact on KCLS’ operating budget.

KCLS receives 96% of its operating revenue from property taxes. In 2001, voters passed I-747 which limits growth in current property tax revenues to 1% per year, and requires an election to authorize any increase above the 1% limit.

In 2002, voters approved a one-year levy lid lift for KCLS which sustained operations for eight years. During this time period, revenue growth was insufficient to keep pace with the rate of inflation and growth-driven annual operating cost increases, yet library usage increased by 43%.

In 2009, KCLS cut $1.9 million out of the operating budget for materials (books, magazines, DVDs, books on tape, etc.), technology, administration and facility maintenance. In addition, KCLS sought private funding to support a number of programs and services.
KCLS now needs to ask voters to restore the library levy rate for one year to 50 cents per $1,000 assessed value, to be collected in 2011. The restored revenue will enable KCLS to preserve the current level of library service, programs and resources at all 44 libraries, and maintain outreach services to community centers, low-income daycare facilities, and to the elderly and homebound.

WHAT WILL THE IMPACT BE ON LIBRARY SERVICES IF PROPOSITION 1 DOES NOT PASS?

If Proposition 1 does not pass, KCLS will face 10-15% budget cuts across the organization, including funding for books, computers and building maintenance to operate within current revenue restrictions.

Effects of these cuts may include increased wait times for popular library materials, reduced availability of computers, and less frequent maintenance and upkeep of libraries.

Without temporary restoration of the levy rate, the number of library workers and the hours of operation will be impacted in future years.

HOMEOWNER COST OF PROPOSITION 1

A homeowner would pay an increase of about $32 on a home assessed at $400,000 to restore the library property tax levy rate to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

FACTS ABOUT THE KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

• KCLS is the third busiest library system in the U.S.
• KCLS is not part of Seattle Public Library (SPL) however KCLS residents have full use of SPL through a reciprocal borrowing agreement.
• KCLS is not part of King County government. It is a separate jurisdiction under State law, with the sole mission to provide library service to area residents.
• 96% of all funding for KCLS comes from local taxpayers. KCLS’ service area consists of all King County with the exception of the City of Seattle, Renton, Hunts Point, Yarrow Point and Enumclaw.
• Each year the demand for service increases:
  • In 2008, residents checked out more than 20 million items from KCLS libraries, a 43% increase over the 14 million items circulated in 2001.
  • 161,183 children attended Story Times in 2008, a 78% increase over 2001.
  • Participation by children and teens in the annual Summer Reading Program has grown from 14,000 in 2001 to 40,100 in 2008; an increase of 186%.
• In 2008 more than 1.1 million computer sessions were booked at KCLS libraries.
• Nearly 90% of the 1.2 million residents in KCLS’ service area have a library card.
• Online connections to kcls.org exceeded 26 million visits in 2008.

COMMON QUESTIONS

How is Proposition 1 related to the current economy?
The need for a levy lid lift is not related to the economic decline, but rather a result of reduced growth in revenue and growing demand for service.

Will KCLS have to cut staff if Proposition 1 does not pass?
Without a levy lid lift, KCLS would need to make budget cuts across the organization, including funding for books, computers, building maintenance and eventually staffing and open hours.

What happens if Proposition 1 passes?
If approved by voters, the current level of services, programs and resources for all 44 libraries and outreach services will be preserved. KCLS’ financial planning is geared to fund the level of service for as long as possible, depending on economic conditions. Previous levy lid lifts occurred in 1977, 1980 and 2002.

What is the difference between a capital bond measure and a levy lid lift?
A levy lid lift is for operations; a capital bond measure is for the building of facilities and other infrastructure.

What is the levy rate limit?
KCLS is limited to 50 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation on property tax by Washington State law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
425.369.3275

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