On August 5, voters will decide on a library levy lid lift—a funding measure that shapes what open hours and services are delivered in the years ahead.
The levy provides 96% of the district’s annual revenue.
If approved, the levy would restore the rate to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. For a home assessed at $400,000 (the 2024 district average), the total annual cost would be $200, or about $16.67 per month. This reflects the full amount a homeowner would pay in 2026.
This funding supports all operations, such as the open hours, staff, books and digital resources, public computers, Wi-Fi, and programs used by over 550,000 people across our 4,200-square-mile district.
How will the levy lid lift be worded on the ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet?
FORT VANCOUVER REGIONAL LIBRARY DISTRICT
PROPOSITION NO. 1
LEVY LID LIFT
The Board of Trustees of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District adopted Resolution 2025-01 concerning its regular property tax levy. This proposition would authorize the District to restore its regular property tax levy to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2026 to provide continued funding for the Library District’s operation and maintenance. The resulting dollar amount of the 2026 levy would be used for the purpose of computing subsequent levy limitations as provided by RCW 84.55.
Should this proposition be approved?
YES . . . . .☐
NO . . . . . .☐
Key Dates & Voting Info
Election Day: August 5, 2025
Register to vote / Update info (by county):
96% of FVRLibraries' funding comes from the levy.
Your Estimated Monthly Cost
The proposed levy would cost about $16.67 per month for a $400,000 home.*
*2024 district average
How the Library Returns Your Investment
Public libraries return $5–$6 for every $1 invested.
What Happens If the Levy Passes or Fails?
This section breaks down how key library services—like hours, staffing, materials, and programs—would change depending on whether the levy is approved or not.
“YES” Vote: Sustain and expand library access and availability
If the levy lid lift passes: FVRLibraries will build on the services our communities rely on—extending hours, expanding access, and adapting programs, spaces, and technology to meet local needs.
What would this option do?
- Add 91 open hours/week across the district A 13% increase—more library and bookmobile hours for greater access
- Add staffing to match expanded hours—equal to 18 full‑time positions Supports longer weekly schedules across branches and bookmobiles
- Continue dedicating 12% of the budget to books, games, streaming services, and online materials Helps reduce wait times and expands choices, with a $450,000 increase in 2026
- Increase programs and outreach by 13% Adds to the 5,203 programs offered in 2024—more storytimes, events, and learning opportunities across the district
- Update technology and spaces to reflect changing community needs Upgrades public computers, in-library technology, and physical spaces to support how people work, learn, and connect—now and in the future
- Launch a new Clark County bookmobile Expands service to areas without a nearby library and connects resources with underserved communities
- Open the new Washougal Community Library in 2027 Adds a full-service location to serve a growing area and support future community needs
- Add another community library by 2030 Location to be determined through the master facilities planning process
“NO” Vote: Significant immediate cuts to library services
If the levy lid lift fails: FVRLibraries will need to reduce service levels to match available funding. This would mean fewer hours, fewer staff, and fewer programs and materials—starting in 2026.
What would this option do?
- Reduce open hours by 30% across the district Equivalent to losing 207 open hours each week at libraries and bookmobiles districtwide
- Eliminate staffing—equal to 68 full‑time roles Dozens of positions and staff hours would be lost
- Decrease the materials budget by over $300,000 in 2026 Fewer new books, longer wait times, and reduced access to streaming and online tools
- Cut programs and outreach by 30% districtwide Approximately 1,500 fewer programs in the first year (2026), including storytimes, senior visits, and learning events
- Cut funding for technology upgrades and computer replacements Fewer computer upgrades and limited ability to improve digital tools and services
- Cancel plans for new bookmobile & route No additional services to reach locations without a local library branch
- Close the Vancouver Mall Library in 2028 Services would end when the lease expires
- Cancel plans for new library locations No funding for future expansion
- Implement further cuts by 2029 An additional 25% reduction in services would be required
- Set aside $500,000 annually for levy ballot costs across four counties Required to return the measure to voters in order to restore funding
FVRLibraries by the Numbers (2024)
Behind every program, checkout, or Wi-Fi session is someone who relies on the library. Here’s a snapshot of how our communities used the library last year.
(1.6M digital)
Nearly 100K attendees
answered
+149K computer uses
How Library Funding Works
Library Funding Is Capped at 1% Growth Per Year
A levy is a tax on property values which funds the operations of FVRLibraries. FVRLibraries is an inter-county rural library district under RCW 27.12, and a junior taxing district. A district’s initial base levy amount is set by multiplying a voter-approved levy rate by the assessed value of all the properties in the district. Under state law, all tax levies may only increase by 1% annually plus a small adjustment for new construction. Because the annual base levy amount must by law stay relatively fixed, as assessed property values go up, the levy rate goes down.
What's an easier way to think about the 1% limit for the levy?
🚗 Think of it like this:
Imagine leasing a car that allows you to drive 10,000 miles in the first year. After that, you’re only able to increase your mileage by 1% each year—just 100 additional miles annually—regardless of changes in your commute or family needs.
Now, consider how life changes can impact your driving needs:
- New Job Commute: Suppose you take a new job that adds an extra 5-mile round-trip commute each day. Over a typical 5-day workweek, that’s 25 additional miles per week, or approximately 1,300 miles per year.
- Family Usage: As your family grows, so does your daily car use—for school drop‑offs, errands, and appointments—adding about 10 extra miles each day (roughly 3,650 miles a year).
Combined, these changes can increase your annual mileage by 4,950 miles, far exceeding the modest 100-mile annual increase allowed by your lease agreement.
Over time, your allowed miles fall further behind what you need, making it challenging to get where you need to go—not because you're doing less, but because the limit hasn't kept up with reality.
💡 That’s how library funding works in Washington State. Even as community needs grow and costs increase, the law only allows FVRLibraries’ property tax revenue to grow by 1% per year—unless voters approve a levy lid lift. Over time, this gap makes it harder to maintain services because the law limits the resources available.
- New Job Commute: Suppose you take a new job that adds an extra 5-mile round-trip commute each day. Over a typical 5-day workweek, that’s 25 additional miles per week, or approximately 1,300 miles per year.
Meanwhile, Library Costs Rise Much Faster
The costs of running a library—books, staffing, technology, maintenance—have risen by 4–5% annually in recent years. Additionally, the region served by FVRLibraries continues to grow. That means library funding grows slowly, even as costs and demand increase.
The Result: The Levy Rate Drops Over Time
Because the annual base levy amount must by law stay relatively fixed, as assessed property values go up, the levy rate goes down. Even though the library is serving more people and offering more services, the levy rate has dropped—from $0.50 in 2011 to less than $0.27 in 2025.
In 2026, expenses are projected to exceed revenue by over $7.6 million—and reserves will no longer be enough to cover the gap.
Levy Information
What is a levy?
A levy is a tax on property values which funds the operations of FVRLibraries. FVRLibraries is an inter-county rural library district under RCW 27.12, and a junior taxing district. For FVRLibraries, the levy is the main source of funding. The amount collected is based on a voter-approved rate multiplied by the total assessed value of properties in the district. As property values increase, the levy rate often goes down—because the total amount the library is allowed to collect (the “levy amount”) is limited to a 1% increase each year under state law. This is known as the 1% levy limit.
What is the 1% levy limit?
Washington State law limits how much property tax revenue local districts—like FVRLibraries—can collect each year. Even if property values go up, the total amount collected from existing properties can only increase by 1% annually, unless voters approve a change.
Over time, library costs—such as staffing, materials, and technology—tend to rise faster than 1%. This creates a funding gap, even as demand for services grows.
What is a levy lid lift?
A levy lid lift is a voter-approved measure that allows a library district to collect more than the 1% annual increase allowed by state law.
When costs rise faster than that 1% limit—due to inflation, population growth, or increased demand—a levy lid lift lets the district, with voter approval, reset its property tax rate to a higher amount. This helps maintain current services and plan for future needs.
After the levy is lifted, the new amount becomes the base, and the 1% limit applies again in following years.
- Resets the base levy amount to a new, higher level
- Allows the library to generate the revenue needed to maintain services
- Typically applies to one year only; after that, the 1% annual growth limit resumes
The extra revenue helps the library keep up with rising costs, and some of it is placed in reserves to support services in future years.
Levy lid lifts require a simple majority to pass (50% + 1 vote).
Why does the library need voter approval to change funding?
In 2001, Washington State voters approved Initiative 747, which limits the amount local taxing districts can collect through regular property taxes.
Under this law:
- Local government agencies—including libraries—can increase their property tax revenue by no more than 1% per year, unless voters approve a higher amount.
- This limit applies even when costs for staffing, materials, and technology rise faster than 1%.
Because of this cap, many local agencies, including FVRLibraries, must periodically return to voters to ask if the tax rate should be restored to keep pace with service needs.
Why is FVRLibraries asking for a levy lid lift now?
It has been 15 years since FVRLibraries asked voters to lift the library levy rate.
Taxing districts expect to go out to voters every five to seven years to maintain adequate funding levels. Thanks to sound, conservative budgeting, FVRLibraries has been able to stretch taxpayer dollars for 15 years. However, with inflation averaging between 4–8% for multiple years, the library can no longer sustain the same level of services without a levy lid lift.
The cost of library materials, staff minimum wage, supplies, fuel, and utilities has dramatically increased. The library district population has increased by 23% since 2011—just over 100,000 more people.
Due to inflation, the library system’s expenses are now outpacing revenues. Without a lid lift, staffing, collections, programs, and services would need to be cut. Rather than doing that, the Board of Trustees is asking voters to restore the levy rate to sustain and grow services.
How has inflation impacted the library since the last levy passed in 2010?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI), the cumulative inflation rate from 2010 to 2024 is approximately 43%.
$1.00 in 2010 has the same buying power as about $1.43 in 2024. That means today’s dollar buys about 30% less than it did 15 years ago.
During the same period, library property tax revenue has only been allowed to grow at a rate of 1% per year, cumulatively increasing by about 16% (excluding new construction). This creates a significant funding gap between what the library receives and the actual cost of delivering services.
Library Levy Funding Cycle
Like many public services, FVRLibraries relies on a voter-approved funding cycle. Here’s how that cycle works—and where your input fits in.
- Stable Base: Property taxes represent 96% of revenue. State law limits the yearly increase to 1%.
- Rising Needs: Costs increase due to inflation, tech, staffing, and community growth.
- Community Review: Voters decide whether to restore the levy rate to sustain service levels.
- Renewed Support: If approved, funding realigns with today’s needs. Then the cycle begins again.
What Would the Levy Cost?
If approved, the levy rate would be restored to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value—the same rate voters approved in 2010.
For a home assessed at $400,000 (district average), the total amount would be $16.67 per month or $200 per year.
| Home Value | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $12.50 | $150 |
| $400,000 (district average) | $16.67 | $200 |
| $500,000 | $20.83 | $250 |
These estimates are based on assessed value (not market value). Actual cost may vary depending on your local assessment.
Note on inflation: Due to inflation, $1 in 2010 is equivalent to about $1.43 in 2024. That’s a 43% increase in costs—even though the levy rate has stayed the same. Use the official inflation calculator to explore the data yourself ↗
Your Estimated Monthly Cost
Enter your property's assessed value to see your estimated annual and monthly cost if the levy is restored at $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.
This reflects an estimate for the total monthly and annual cost a homeowner would pay in 2026.
Note: This tool provides an estimate only. Actual amounts may vary depending on your county’s final assessed property value, exemptions, or other local factors. For detailed information, contact your county assessor or visit their official website.
Library Access in Context: Monthly Savings & National Insights
Explore how public library services compare to everyday costs, and see what national research says about community use and impact.
How Far Does $16.67 Go?
For about the cost of one book or a streaming service, public libraries offer community members access to books, educational programs, technology resources, and more.
Paperback Book
$14–18
Streaming Subscription
$16–20
Drop-in Class
$15–25
30-min Tutoring
$18–28
Online Learning
$16–30
64 Pages Printed*
$16
≈ $16.67/month per household**
One library card gives you—and over half a million neighbors—access to all this and more.
*Black & white, 8.5"x11" printing
**Based on average assessed home value in the FVRLibraries district.
What Could You Save with Your Library?
Without library access, here’s what these common resources and services could cost you each month. See how much you save (or could be saving) by using FVRLibraries.
Library Insights: National Research at a Glance
This snapshot summarizes national findings about public libraries and their role in communities. Research from multiple sources shows how libraries contribute to educational outcomes, digital access, and community services. These data points help illustrate the broader context in which library funding decisions take place.
$5–$6
Return per $1 invested in public libraries
Arns et al.
University of South Carolina, META 2 Study (2023)
92%
Of users feel calmer after visiting the library
University of Pennsylvania & NYPL
Libraries & Well-Being: A Case Study from The New York Public Library (2024)
92%
Of parents feel their children are safe at the library
EveryLibrary
Parents' Perception of Public Libraries (2023)
200M+
In local business value generated by public libraries
Urban Libraries Council
Business Value Calculator: Early Insights & Results (2022)