Sno-Isle Libraries: Cuts or tax hikes?

MARYSVILLE — If asked to tax himself to prevent cuts to library services, James Tutewohl said he’d seriously consider voting yes.

The Sno-Isle library system is facing a projected $2.5 million budget deficit next year. Placing a property levy increase on the November ballot is just one possible solution.

Currently, the owner of a ­median-priced home who lives within in the Sno-Isle library district pays about $93 in property taxes for the library every year. That could climb to an annual tax of up to $150 if voters approve an increase of the library’s levy rate to its maximum level.

“That’s nothing if you use the library all the time,” said Tutewohl, 41, who said his family visits the Marysville branch a few times each week.

Marcus Martinez, 28, said he isn’t necessarily opposed to a tax increase. Still, the Lake Stevens man and library patron said it wouldn’t be a tragedy for the library to save money by reducing hours and eliminating some programs.

Sno-Isle, which provides services to most cities and unincorporated areas in Snohomish and Island counties, will be forced to cut costs if it fails to gain support for a levy increase. That could mean closing branches on Sundays, buying fewer books or even shuttering all 21 branches for two weeks, library officials say.

Before the library tries to balance its budget, it would like suggestions. A series of public meetings is planned throughout the district this month. The library system is also conducting surveys, asking patrons how they would solve the budget problem and whether they would support a levy increase.

“People who are being impacted by these cuts need to be part of the discussion,” said Mary Kelly, a spokeswoman for Sno-Isle Libraries.

The problems come at a time when libraries across the country are reporting a surge in activity.

In the first three months of the year, the number of materials checked out has climbed 6 percent from the same period last year, according to Sno-Isle Libraries. Visits to branches and to the library’s Web site are also up.

Similar spikes in are being seen elsewhere, as people cut costs by checking out books and DVDs and unemployed workers turn to libraries for job-hunting help.

Sno-Isle, based in Marysville, funds its branches primarily through property tax revenue.

Without voter approval, the library must cap levy rate increases to 1 percent each year.

Increases in labor costs — the library’s biggest single expense — and other expenses have consistently outpaced revenue.

Climbing insurance premiums for many of the library’s 475 full- and part-time employees, and staffing costs associated with extended branch hours, help explain some of the labor costs, Kelly said.

The slowdown in home building is also squeezing this year’s $38.4 million budget.

In recent years, new homes in the district added $700,000 to $800,000 in new revenue to the libraries’ budget every year. That figure is expected to dwindle to just $150,000 this year, Kelly said.

The library’s levy rate is currently about 31 cents for every $1,000 of assessed valuation, or about $93 a year for the owner of a $300,000 house. Voters could approve an increase to the levy of as much as 50 cents, or an additional $57 a year for that homeowner.

If a levy increase is to go on the November ballot, the library’s Board of Trustees has to make a decision by June 22.

That would require the library staff to craft two budgets, one based upon a successful levy increase and the other in case the measure fails.

Voters in the Sno-Isle library district last approved a levy increase in 2003.

Patrice Williams, 38, home-schools seven children age 5 to 17. The library is a place where her kids can socialize with peers and check out books for learning and fun.

“I’d rather pay the tax increase than have services cut,” Williams said while her oldest son, Marcus, dropped off some books at the Marysville Library. “It’s worth it in the long run.”

David Chircop: 425-339-3429, dchircop@heraldnet.com.