No library, or a new one?

On the surface, it seems the issue of whether or not voters should OK a tax increase to continue library services is fairly black-and-white.

On the one hand, if voters approve taxing themselves at a rate of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, library service will continue uninterrupted. If voters reject it, the library will, in all likelihood, close at the end of 2005.

But there is a bit more to the issue than those two scenarios.

What follows is a look at possible scenarios involving the Mill Creek Library, depending on whether the measure passes or fails Sept. 14:

If the measure fails

One result, however, is a distinct possibility that has been making its way through the local rumor mill: That the Mill Creek Library will eventually close if voters reject annexation.

“I think that’s accurate,” said city manager Bob Stowe, addressing the rumors, but not directly confirming whether or not the city will take that approach should the measure fail Sept. 14.

The city’s Web site, however, states that the library will close at the expiration of the current contract, Dec. 31, 2005, if the measure fails.

Should that happen, not only will Mill Creek lose its library, but city residents will not be able to go to Lynnwood or another city’s library and check out materials, according to Mary Kelly, Sno-Isle’s community relations manager.

“That’s because no one’s paying for the service,” Kelly said.

Mill Creek residents would still be able to browse another library’s collection, however.

The city has placed the measure on the ballot because it is looking at ways to curtail spending amidst financial projections that show rising expenses with declining revenues. According to finance director Joanne Gregory, the library is costing the city of Mill Creek $530,000 this year in an operations contract with Sno-Isle, which operates and staffs the library. The city hopes to take those funds, which come from the property tax-finaced general fund, to maintain other services.

Stowe said that if the measure fails next month, the city will, in all likelihood, bring the measure back to voters before spring 2005.

If the measure passes

Should voters pass the measure, library service will continue uninterrupted, and a local library board will continue to make decisions that affect the Mill Creek Library. But it will come at a cost.

The Sept. 14 measure, if it passes, will result in property owners in the city of Mill Creek seeing a new tax on their annual bill: An assessment at the rate of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. That means the owner of a home valued at $300,000 will pay $150 per year to maintain library service. If approved, the new tax would take effect Jan. 1, 2006, one day after the current operating agrement contract between the city of Mill Creek and Sno-Isle expires.

Even though the measure will cost residents more in taxes, at least one library activist is not concerned about voter approval.

“What gives me hope are statistics that show that 67 percent of people in the city of Mill Creek have a library card,” said Roy DeSoto. “I think most people in most cities recognize the value of a library. It’s only common sense that a city should have a library.”

A new library?

One possible outcome of the vote could ultimately be a new, larger library for Mill Creek, something library proponents have dreamed about because they claim the current library is inadequate to handle demand.

Currently, most programs that take place at the Mill Creek Library, such as children’s programs and the book club, meet amidst the book stacks patrons browse.

“Every once in a while I get complaints that the programs are disruptive,” said Eric Spencer, Mill Creek’s managing librarian. “They say it doesn’t foster the quiet library atmosphere most people are used to. We haven’t had strong complaints, but we have had some.”

A newer, larger facility could include a meeting room where such programs could take place.

Kelly, however, said the item is not being placed on the ballot in order to get a new library for Mill Creek.

“The absolute rationale behind the annexation is the city (of Mill Creek’s) financial situation,” she said. “(Getting a new library) is not why this is on the ballot.”

A possible new library also is not mentioned in the information about the upcoming library vote that is posted on the city of Mill Creek’s Web site.

Assuming voters approve the annexation, the city of Mill Creek and the library district may ultimately decide that a new library is needed. From there, Sno-Isle would determine the area that a Mill Creek library would draw from, and create what’s called a Library Capital Facility Area. Any area for Mill Creek would not only include the city itself, but surrounding areas of unincorporated Snohomish County.

“The burden wouldn’t just fall on city taxpayers,” Kelly said.

From there, a local committee would determine how big a possible new facility would be, and how much it would cost. Voters would have the final say on the bond measure, which, like annexation itself, would be a self-imposed tax increase. However, in the case of a bond vote, the taxes would go to finance the bonds issued.

Two such measures are on the Sept. 14 ballot in Stanwood and Oak Harbor. Stanwood’s bond measure is for $9 million, or $35 a year for the owner of a home valued at $200,000. Oak Harbor’s measure is for $12 million, which would cost the owner of a $200,000 home $68 per year.

“A lot of it just depends on the community and its needs,” Kelly said.

However, the time line from deciding a new library is needed and getting the bond measure to voters can take time. In Stanwood, the measure took almost a year of advance planning, whereas in Oak Harbor, the effort has been underway for approximately four years.

Coming next week — How library annexation worked in Edmonds.