If it’s April, it’s tax season. No one enjoys paying taxes, and yet I write in support of the April 24 Sno-Isle Libraries operating levy. In 2009, voters agreed to raise the levy rate in return for Sno-Isle’s promise of no further operating levies for five years. That promise has been extended to nine years, but current funding levels can no longer keep pace with expenses.
And so the district is asking voters to set its levy rate to the 47 cents voted on in 2009. In return, Sno-Isle Libraries will be able to maintain its current level of staffing, hours and programming. Bookmobile service for children and seniors will continue as will pre-school programs, homework help, and after-school STEM classes for K-12 students.
Third-graders across Sno-Isle’s 23 community libraries will be able to compete in the popular Third-Grade Reading Challenge. The 3.3 million visitors to these same libraries will continue to have access to current popular books, DVD’s and downloadable resources.
Thirty-one consecutive years of clean audits prove that Sno-Isle has used the public’s money very well. Your yes vote for this levy will provide sufficient funding resources to continue the current level of services through at least 2025. Past experience shows that we can trust that figure. Please join me in supporting our community libraries. Vote yes for libraries on April 24.
Jackie DeFazio
Camano Island
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