Select Committee on the Library Levy

Executive Summary

The Seattle City Council's Select Committee on the Library Levy convened to hear presentations on Mayor Wilson's $410 million library levy proposal, which would appear on the August 4, 2026 ballot. The proposal represents an 87% increase over the expiring $219 million 2019 levy, reflecting both inflation adjustments and expanded services. During nearly three hours of testimony and deliberation, committee members heard from eleven public commenters who unanimously supported the library system while some urged higher investment levels. Chair Maritza Rivera opened by acknowledging Seattle's affordability challenges and the city's approaching property tax capacity limits, stating the committee must balance strong library support with fiscal responsibility. The mayor's presentation emphasized that 90% of surveyed residents value the library system, while Central Staff warned that Seattle is approaching critical levy capacity constraints that could limit future tax ability. The proposal allocates $218.4 million for hours and access, $58.5 million for collections, $85.9 million for building maintenance, $38.2 million for technology, and $9 million for administration. Key expansions include $12.6 million for additional programming, $7.7 million for enhanced security, $10 million for deferred maintenance, and $4.6 million for expanded collections.

Key Decisions & Actions

The committee took no formal votes, conducting briefings and discussion only on Council Bill 121181. The bill would authorize a seven-year property tax levy exceeding statutory limits, requiring simple majority voter approval on August 4, 2026. The proposed levy would generate approximately $58.6 million annually, with a tax rate of 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. For the median home valued at $858,000, the annual cost would be approximately $163. The committee scheduled amendment review for March 31, with a public hearing on April 2. Final committee action is planned for April 8, allowing full Council consideration by April 14 to meet the May 1 King County Elections deadline.

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Notable Quotes

**Chair Rivera, on affordability concerns:** "We've become one of the most expensive cities in the country. Therefore, colleagues, I do not take it lightly when we go to voters and ask them to increase their property taxes again." **Deputy Mayor Surratt, on personal library impact:** "For a time we lived off of Ranier in Southeast, the Columbia City branch was where she started to explore. Then we moved to West Seattle and the West Seattle branch is where she really, really got to fully appreciate all the wonderful things that the library system could have." **Council Member Rinck, on childhood library experience:** "I literally would not be here today if it weren't for my community investing in safe, welcoming third places where helpful and caring adults could unlock the secrets of the world for kids like me." **Jennifer Lowe, on collection needs:** "To provide enough books to meet Seattle's changing needs, library would need at least $10 million more than the proposed levy provides for collections." **Council Member Kettle, on foreign language importance:** "I really appreciate the point regarding foreign languages. I think that's so important, and as a first generation American, I didn't really have that issue since my parents are from England, but in reverse, I do have a love of foreign languages." **Tom Mikesell (Central Staff), on levy capacity:** "We are getting close to this limit, and we just want to ensure that we're expressing, you know, full awareness of that fact because 10 years ago completely different context, we were looking at lots of wide space of capacity, and we're just no longer in that situation."