As a lover of libraries, parks, and many of our city’s amenities that I enjoy on a daily basis, I am writing in support of Everett’s Proposition 1. By passing Proposition 1, we are ensuring that funding is maintained for these vital services.
When I started working in Everett 17 years ago I immediately started to utilize the library. I worked downtown at the time and the library was a convenient place to check out material that helped me further my career or just have fun exploring new ideas. The quiet corridors and ample desk space allowed me to bring my work in on days I wasn’t feeling so peopley. My love of our downtown library has since only grown.
The Everett Public Library has faced devastating cuts. In 2018 the library’s total budget was $5.452 million dollars and in 2024 that budget was $5.763 million, an insufficient cumulative 5.7 percent increase over six years, which has not kept up with the cumulative inflation rate of 25.1 percent over the same period, per Department of Labor statistics. This functional budget cut has had dramatic impacts on service and has seen the hours of the library reduced and days open cut altogether.
Everett’s Proposition 1 will allow the city to maintain the current level of service and help to restore funding for programs. In addition to library funding, Proposition 1 will also help the city maintain parks, boost public safety, and fund other quality of life services vital to wellbeing.
I hope you’ll join me in voting Yes on Proposition 1 by Aug. 6.
Laura Reed
Everett
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