Have you gotten your Official Snohomish County Local Voters' Pamphlet yet?

Voters' Pamphlets should be in mailboxes around Snohomish County! Page 30 of Edition 2 has the information regarding the Sno-Isle Libraries District Proposition 1, Levy Rate Proposition. The following information is taken directy from the pamphlet:

Ballot Title

Levy Rate Proposition

The Board of Trustees of Sno-Isle Intercounty Rural Library District adopted Resolution No. 09-03 concerning a proposition to authorize a regular property tax levy. This proposition would authorize the District to increase the previous levy rate to $0.40 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation pursuant to RCW 84.55.0.0(1) for taxes collected in 2010, to provide funding for normal operation and maintenance of the Sno-Isle Intercounty Rural Library District; and said levy rate shall be used for the purpose of computing the limitations for subsequent levies provided for in Chapter 84.55 RCW. Should this proposition be approved or rejected?

Explanatory Statement

This proposition will enable the Sno-Isle Intercounty Rural Library District ("Library District") to operate and amintain its community libraries and library services by increasing the library district's regular property tax levy rate by 9¢ to a total of 40¢ per $1,000 of assessed valuation, for collection in 2010. Because state law requires voters in the Library District to authorize tax levy increased in excess of 101% of the previous year's revenue, this proposition is presented to provide voters the opportunity to exceed that 101% limitation which will be necessary if the Library District is to set its tax levy as proposed.

Approval of this proposition would allow the maintenance of the current level of services, programs, resources and the ability to maintain existing hours of operation at all community libraries. If approved, the measuer will increase property taxes by approximately $27 per year on a $300,000 home (about $2.25 more per month).

Rejection of this proposition would result in the Library Distric's revenue in 2010 being $2.5 million less than needed to maintain exisiting library services, materials, and open hours. This would necessitate cuts in open hours, books and other materials, and/or equipment.

Statement For

Your yes vote on Sno-Isle Libraries Proposition 1 will ensure that our community libraries can continue helping people find jobs, providing families with free entertainment such as books and movies, and most importantly, guaranteeing that our children have the resources they need to succeed in school.

Libraries are one of the few tax-supported organizations that serve all of us, from childhood through adulthood. During difficult economic times, we need our community libraries more than ever.

Your library needs your yes vote to sustain open hours, continue purchasing books for all to enjoy, and maintain access to technology and essential online resouces. This small levy increase, combined with a 3% cut in senior administrative salaries, a salary freeze for ramaining staff, and not filling vacant positions, will prevent a $2.5 million reduction in library services. The levy increase also stablizes library funding for five years.

Proposition 1 increase the library rate by 9¢/$1,000 - raising the levy from 31¢ to $40¢/$1,000. The owner of a $300,000 home will pay only $2.25 more a month - or $27 more a year - to keep libraries open and bookshelves stocked. All of this for the cost of a single hardcover book a year.

The price is small. The impact is remarkable.

Vote Yes for Libraries on November 3.

Statement by: Sue Ambler, John Lovick, Kathleen Shaw

Statement Against

No Statement Submitted

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Snohomish County Election Information Online

Visit the Snohomish County Auditor website for this and other information.

Snohomish County residents can view an online version of the voters pamphlet by entering their location informaion.

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Island County 2009 General Election Voters' Guide

For residents of Island County, the Island County 2009 General Election Voters' Guide is available on the Island County Auditor's website. Proposition No. 1 appears under Library>SNO ISLE LIBRARY DISTRICT, which is the last entry in the guide.

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Sno-Isle Mailers

Also watch for yellow postcard mailers from directly from Sno-Isle Libraries:

These yellow postcard mailers have all the information about the upcoming election, including basic budget changes, proposed action and current statistics.