2026 Library Levy Information

The Libraries of Stevens County (LOSC) Board of Trustees is asking voters to consider a measure (Proposition 2026-XXX) on the April 28, 2026 ballot to restore the property tax levy rate that funds operations and services of its seven community libraries, rural access points, and digital resources. The library system is asking now in response to increased costs and demand for services.

This measure would restore the property tax levy rate that funds daily operations and maintenance of its libraries to $.44 per $1,000 assessed value.*
LOSC has never had a levy lid lift to increase their operating budget. We have been responsible, creative, and frugal. This is now insufficient to maintain services.
Costs have gone up. The number of people we serve, the number of collections we support (print, digital, etc), and operating costs have significantly increased, and the library system’s annual expenses now exceed annual revenues.
If the levy rate is not restored, the library will cut services and eliminate staff positions.

*In today’s market, a levy rate of $0.44 per thousand dollars of assessed value will provide sufficient funding to support current services and will sustain the system for the next 10 years. State law allows library systems to request up to $0.50 per thousand dollars of assessed value. LOSC is asking for what it needs (.44), not the maximum allowed (.50).

Local property taxes provide 93% of the library system’s operating budget. If approved by voters, this proposition would authorize LOSC to restore its property tax levy rate from its current level of 27 cents to 44 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value.

FAQs

How is our library funded?

Libraries of Stevens County is funded in a number of ways, with property taxes as the main source of revenue. This is a state law and how library districts are funded in the State of Washington..There is no State or Federal funding for operations and maintenance of public libraries in Washington. LOSC’s operational budget has a limit of 1% increase by law, which cannot keep pace with inflation. All reserve funding has been drained to offset inflation over 28 years. The LOSC’s full budget, as well as past years’ budgets, can be viewed on the Board of Trustees page.

Why are you running a levy right now?

LOSC was established in 1998 and has never had a levy increase to its budget. We have been responsible and resourceful, funding programs, technology, and even library buildings with grants and federal funding opportunities for 28 years. Costs have increased for everyone - including LOSC. The levy will allow us to bring back weekend hours and sustain services for at least another ten years.

How much will this cost me?

The new levy lid lift would adjust the levy rate from 27 cents ($0.27) per $1,000 to 44 cents ($0.44). For a $300,000 home, that would result in a monthly increase of $4.25 a month, or a total of $51 more per year in property taxes.

What will the 44¢ raise?

The highest allowable levy rate for WA libraries is 50 cents ($0.50) per $1000. LOSC is asking for 44 cents ($0.44) per $1000. This amount is estimated to collect approximately $1,065,131 the first year it is levied. A significant portion of the amount collected will be put into reserves each year, until the library starts to pull from the reserves to counter inflation costs that exceed the subsequent annual 1% cap on revenue. This rate would fund the library for up to 10 years, accommodating an average 5% budget increase annually. This method of collecting reserves is part of the responsible fiscal policy that the library and many junior taxing districts (such a fire districts) have always used, and is part of the calculation for a levy.

I now pay 27¢ per $1000 assessed value now. The lid lift will increase to 44¢, not 50¢ as allowed by law. Why 44¢?

Stevens County is rural. Many families live below the poverty line. The Board of Trustees and LOSC administration determined that 44¢ is the minimum the library district needs to sustain current library services for the next 10 years.

What will happen if this levy does not pass?

Operations using the current budget without an increase in revenue will result in reduced programs, collections, and services; staff cuts; reduced hours; and deferred building maintenance.

When is the vote?

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Levy Facts

Levy 101%

Initiative 747, passed in 2001, established a “101% levy limit” limiting the amount by which any taxing jurisdiction can increase its regular property tax levy. This means that a library levy may not increase the total levy amount collected from current assessed valuation by more than 1% annually (the “levy lid”).

What is a levy lid lift?

A single-year levy lid lift is the means to exceed the 101% levy limit. It allows the maximum levy to increase by more than 1% for one year only. It “lifts the levy lid.”

With a permanent single-year lid lift, the levy lid bumps up more than 1% in the first year, and then that amount is used to calculate all future 101% levy increase limitations. From that point on, future annual increases may not exceed 1% without going to the voters for another lid lift.

How many votes are needed to pass the levy lid lift?

A simple majority.

What are the Washington Administrative Code(s) that govern levy lid lifts?

WAC 458-19-005 can be found here.

WAC 458-19-045 can be found here.

I don't own a home or I rent. How much will this cost me?

Renters do not directly pay anything toward the property tax levy.

I live within Colville city limits OR Kettle Falls city limits. How does this affect me?

The residents who live within the City of Colville and the City of Kettle Falls pay taxes to the City. The cities each have an agreement with the library district to provide service to its residents. Therefore, residents whose main residence is within the city limits of Colville and Kettle Falls are not allowed to vote for the library levy.

Building Better Libraries - Q&A

You renovated two branches and built a new library. Where did the money come from?

Both Northport and Chewelah were renovated with Library Capital Improvement Program grants from Washington State Department of Commerce, Accessibility Grants from the American Library Associations, Friends of the Chewelah Public Library, and donations to the Libraries of Stevens County Foundation.

The new Loon Lake Library was built with several grants, including a Library Capital Improvement Program grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce, Community Development Block Grants (through a partnership with the Stevens County Commissioners office), significant donations from Friends of Loon Lake Library with community fundraising efforts, generous donations from several private estates (including Darryl Troutman, Pete & Wilma Stone, and others), donations from Innovia, STCU and Avista Foundations, and many others through the Libraries of Stevens County Foundation.

Are you running a levy because of the construction and renovation projects?

No, the levy is needed to continue library operations for the next 10 years.

Does Loon Lake Library cost more to operate?

One additional full-time position was added to Loon Lake for six months of 2025. In terms of monthly costs, such as utilities, some costs have increased and some have decreased. The previous location had very few energy efficient options (built in 1970s); the new building has several cost saving measures and energy efficiencies built into the architectural design.