Thursday, October 1, 2026
I am supporting the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) levy lid lift that is on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.
This is a small property tax increase, which will restore about half of the funding level lost to inflation since Initiative 747 passed in 2001. That initiative, and the legislation that implemented its intent, put a 1 percent annual limit on library system property tax increases. Inflation since that time has averaged about 3 percent per year, meaning the library system loses ground every year.
In 2001, when the initiative passed, the tax rate for TRL was $0.50 per $1,000 of property value. Because of the 1 percent limit, it has declined to $0.22. This vote would raise it back to $0.35.
If it passes, this will be the first levy lid lift for TRL since 1987. That's right — 40 years ago.
I use the library for many things. When I was recovering from surgery, I borrowed videos to watch while doing my physical therapy exercises. I suggest new books to them, and they usually get them (and I get to be first to borrow them).
They even have a "Library of Things," including access to an auto repair database, binoculars, bicycle repair tools, and even laptop computers. I attend meetings of various groups in the meeting rooms at the Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater libraries.
TRL needs your support. Click here and here for more information.
Don't forget to vote — and vote "yes" for libraries.
Jim Lazar is a resident of Olympia
10 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
JohnGear
Yes! Public libraries are the data centers we need!
Tuesday, September 15 Report this
Grailking
Libraries and senior centers are going to be increasingly important resources for elders as cuts to various programs such as medicare, medicaid an SNAP take effect in 2027.
Libraries provide invaluable help with technology needed to access information an resources seniors need. This is a tax with local benefits you can see.
Tuesday, September 15 Report this
Mcb147
Absolutely! Important source of information for all demographics
Tuesday, September 15 Report this
wellnow77
Yes!! Vote YES for libraires!
Tuesday, September 15 Report this
debpattin
I agree 100%.
Tuesday, September 15 Report this
Daisylee
Our library system has so many ways of giving to us and the need is great for many seniors who have limited resources in being able to afford a $20 book when you can pick it up at the library! So often, I look at the new books coming up and check the library first and there it is! I can put my name on the waiting list and enjoy a book that I ordinarily would not purchase because of cost. What a treasure our libraries!
Wednesday, September 16 Report this
jimlazar
If you support libraries, go to www.yes4libraries.org and donate $25 or $250, (or $250,000 if your name is Rockefeller, Musk, Gates, or Buffett).
Every $100 donated helps us educate 200 voters about the need for these measure.
Thursday, September 17 Report this
JulesJames
This levy lift will cost the owner of a $500,000 assessed property approximately $175 a year. I frequent Timberland Lacey and Timberland Olympia. Both seem heavily used every time I visit. Selfishly, I easily benefit $175 a year from Timberland Libraries - that is under 10 audio books a year borrowed rather than purchased. Public benefit & personal benefit = Voting YES.
Thursday, September 17 Report this
jimlazar
Jules James: Thank you for your support.
The Levy Lid Lift will cost the owner of a $500,000 home only $65 per month.
The current levy rate is $22 per $100,000.
The proposal is a $13/$100,000 increase.
$13 x 5 = $65.
Your arithmetic was for the total levy. The $22/$100,000 will continue no matter whether this measure passes or fails.
Voting yes will cost people $3 - $6 more per month, depending on the value of their home.
Sunday, September 20 Report this
36098501
A persistent misconception is that total property tax revenue is capped at 1% annual growth in Washington.
It isn’t. Never has been. The 1% limitation DOES NOT apply to total property-tax revenue growth.
The limit only applies to the growth of a taxing district’s regular levy. New construction, property improvements, certain statutory additions, and voter-approved levies can add property-tax revenue substantially BEYOND the 1% limitation – and they have in Thurston County and for TRL.
Additional property taxes from new construction, property improvements, and statutory additions regularly push revenue growth substantially beyond 1% each year - often by a factor of 2x to 3x specifically for the library.
Even with that growth, library revenues haven’t kept pace with inflation. Depending on the specific data reviewed, the library would need ~$3mm to catch up with inflation since 2018.
However, an important note. Three things.
1.) CPI inflation is not a good proxy for library costs as they are primarily driven by personnel costs. (70%ish). As a result, even if the library's total revenue grows at the level of inflation, revenue growth will likely fall short of meeting their budget needs.
2.) Property Tax isn’t the library’s only revenue source. The library also receives $2.5mm-$3mm a year of other revenue, mostly timber related I believe. These revenues fluctuate a bit, but they haven’t shown growth. When this revenue remains flat, it further creates a drag on the overall growth of revenue for the library.
3.) Levy rates always diminish with increased property values unless there is levy increase voted in. Total property taxes received by the County, or even TRL, don’t change by the increase, or decrease, of total existing current property values in the County. This too is a myth. Imagine the amount of property taxes that would be paid if property taxes had risen at the rapidly increasing rate of housing price growth over the last decade.
TRL is asking voters to approve a 59% increase to the annual levy rate. This will raise an additional $14 million a year from the community. That is a very big number for the library but supporters will focus on the $50-$150 a year per parcel and not the extra $14mm a year, every year.
Layered together, the many individually small tax increases passed locally have added up to make Olympia an increasingly expensive place to live, especially for those who can least afford it.
An extra $100 might mean a family dinner out for one person, but for another, it could mean a prescription, a doctor’s visit, or groceries for the week.
I want to make our community more affordable and ease the burden of taxes on those who are most financially vulnerable. That is why, when faced with the choice between additional property taxes and fewer property taxes, I prefer fewer.
I love books, and I value having a good library in our community. But I also believe the library has reached a point where it needs to reassess how it operates and reinvent itself to better align services with the needs and financial realities of the communities it serves.
Given the scenario as to how the library arrived at its current unfortunate financial situation, I don't believe it would be responsible to provide the existing Board and Management significantly more funding, 59% more, $14mm to be exact, each year without first seeing meaningful changes to the service platform, how the organization is managing itself, its resources and how taxpayer dollars will be used going forward.
Wednesday, September 23 Report this