SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — A proposed property tax increase for the Spokane County Library District is passing as of Tuesday evening, according to preliminary election results.
Spokane County Library District Proposition No. 1 has received 21,679 yes votes (52.08%) compared with 19,944 no votes (47.92%). The measure would raise the property tax rate from 33 cents to 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, costing a homeowner with a $350,000 property about $42 more annually.
SPOKANE CO LIBRARY DISTRICT LEVY
Library officials say the additional revenue is needed to maintain services and offset inflation. Without it, they could face significant service reductions, potentially closing one of the district’s 10 library locations.
“Unless we find an alternative source of funding or something, that’s something we’d really have to do,” Operations Director Doug Stumbough said.
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. April Boardway, a library visitor, expressed concern about cumulative tax increases: “Everything adds up, even if it’s just pennies to the dollar. It adds up one way or another, and sooner or later, you don’t have money for one thing or another.”
Andrew Meeks supports the measure: “I think it brings a lot of positivity, good things to the community.”
Additional ballots remain to be counted before results are finalized.
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