If passed, Proposition 1 would increase levy rate from $0.27 per $1,000 of assessed property to $0.50 per $1,000

Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today

A proposition on the Aug. 5 special election ballot that will allow Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries (FVRL) to conduct a levy lid lift appears to be passing in the first election results released Tuesday evening.

Voting in the four counties impacted – Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat and Skamania – show the proposition passing with 52.84 percent (42,987) of the votes in favor compared to 47.16 percent (38,372) opposed. 

Passage of the proposition will allow FVRL to raise its levy for the first time in 15 years, according to Director Jennifer Giltrop. The current levy rate is $0.27 per $1,000 of assessed value. That will raise to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value if the proposition is approved by voters.

In an interview published by Clark County Today in July, Giltrop told Clark County resident Dick Rylander:

“FVRL, like all library districts in WA (RCW 27.12) is funded primarily by property taxes,’’ Giltrop said. “ Property taxes represent 96% of our revenue. As a junior taxing district, FVRL may not increase the total levy amount collected from current assessed valuation by more than 1% annually or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. FVRL last sought a levy lid lift in August 2010, and received approval to restore funding back to $0.50/$1,000 of assessed value. On Aug., 5, 2010, FVRL again is asking voters to restore its levy rate back to $0.50/$1,000 of assessed value. In the fifteen years since the last levy lid lift was approved, inflation has risen by 43%. FVRL is operating at a $4.7 million budgeted deficit this year, with a projected $7.6 million deficit in 2026. In 2026, FVRL would not be able to sustain that level of deficit, and therefore a reduction in services will be necessary should the levy vote fail on August 5.’’

Giltrop also stated, “FVRL is operating at a $4.7 million budgeted deficit this year, with a projected $7.6 million deficit in 2026. In 2026, FVRL would not be able to sustain that level of deficit, and therefore a reduction in services will be necessary should the levy vote fail on Aug. 5. Between inflation and increased demand on services, and maintenance of our facilities, the Levy Lid Lift is essential for sustaining and growing with the District we serve.’’

Election results will continue to be updated throughout the week.

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