Timberland Regional Library levy lid lift gets backing in Lacey

The Lacey City Council endorsed a proposed levy lid lift measure from Timberland Regional Library that would generate millions of dollars in operating revenue for the library system.

The city council approved Resolution 1188 during a work session at city hall on Oct. 13. Council member Lenny Greenstein cast the lone abstention. 

The resolution supports Proposition 1, which seeks to increase the library property tax levy to 35 cents from 22 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. 

For a Thurston County home assessed at the 2025 median value of $457,400, the estimated increase is $4.92 per month or $59 annually.

The levy lid lift would generate approximately $14 million in operating revenue in the first year, data shows. The proposition, which is on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot, needs a simple majority pass.

TRL Interim Executive Director Andrea Heisel said property taxes account for 96 percent of district revenue in 2026. She made her remarks at the work session.

The funding would help the library system, which serves five counties (Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston) return to a healthy fund balance.

The district implemented layoffs, administrative salary adjustments, temporary furloughs and cuts to collection purchases and printing allowances in order to bridge a roughly $3.6 million funding gap this year.

Even with the moves, projections show the district could face a negative beginning fund balance by the end of 2028. 

Heisel said voter approval is necessary to increase property tax revenue beyond the state’s annual growth limit.

Washington state allows taxing districts to go above the 1 percent cap through a levy lid lift, which the library system put before voters in 2009. That effort failed to pass muster with voters.

“We have literally gone 25 years with a decreased levy rate, and in 2001 was the last time we were at that full 50 cent levy rate,” Heisel said. 

Library services 

If the levy passes, TRL plans to add 19.4 full-time equivalent positions in Thurston County, including 8.8 for Lacey and Hawks Prairie. Hawks Prairie Library has already cut Sunday hours and closed Mondays. 

If the measure fails, the district expects fewer staffed hours, reduced mobile library services and smaller collections. Some branches could rely more heavily on unstaffed access through library cards. 

Library supporters have also raised concerns.

During public comment at the Oct. 6 city council meeting, Sally Fitzgerald, co-President of the Friends of Lacey Library, and Gwen Culp, a retired Timberland Regional Library librarian, urged the council to endorse Proposition 1. 

Fitzgerald emphasized the role of librarians in providing free public services. 

“We want to keep all libraries open and fully staffed. We do not want them to become keycard access only libraries where patrons can access the building without librarians,” Fitzgerald said. 

Culp said the Lacey Library lost six employees this year, affecting staffing at both Lacey and Hawks Prairie libraries. She added ibraries partner with schools, local governments and community groups. 

“If the library levy lid lift fails, Timberland will have to further reduce its services, and there will be an impact on other organizations,” Culp said. 

Abstention

Greenstein abstained because he believes elected officials should not take positions on ballot measures. He also explained that view  during a Lacey Fire District 3 bond vote on Oct. 6.

“But I will be abstaining from this because, as I have for the last 15 years, do not believe it’s appropriate for us as an elected body to take a stance and to take a vote on anything that will go before the voters on the ballot,” Greenstein said.

Mayor Andy Ryder backed the resolution, and called the Lacey Library a community jewel. He emphasized the educational resources and public programs available through libraries. He also commended Timberland Regional Library for going years without raising its levy.  

“It’s our public library. Everyone in the district owns the library, and I think it’s one of the best investments we make as a community,” Ryder said.