♪♪
-Seattle Proposition 1, property tax levy for
The Seattle Public Library.
Seattle Proposition 1, which would replace an expiring
library services levy, if approved, is expected
to raise approximately $479,760,000 over seven years.
Money from this levy would fund investments in library
operating hours and access, collections, technology,
maintenance, and administration.
The Executive Director and Chief Librarian and the Library
Board shall provide an annual progress report to the Mayor
and City Council from 2028 to 2034 to account for levy
spending and delivery of library services identified in Section 6
of Ordinance No. 127419.
If the proposition passes, property owners’
taxes would increase by approximately 23 cents per
$1,000 of assessed value.
The maximum rate of the total Seattle levy is $3.14 per
$1,000 of assessed value.
If passed, this property tax would be collected beginning
in 2027 and ending in 2033.
RCW 84.36.381 exempts qualified senior citizens,
disabled persons, and veterans with disabilities
from paying all or a portion of this property tax.
To see how a proposed property tax levy anywhere
in King County will affect your taxes or possibly
your rent, check out the King County Assessor's
Tax Transparency Tool at kingcounty.gov/assessor.
Click on the link for Localscape.
Click on "My Property" to enter your residence address,
then click on the tab to view proposed
taxes. The tool will show the estimated
difference in the taxes you will pay should the levy pass.
If you have questions about whether the property tax
exemption in Seattle Proposition 1 applies to you, contact
the King County Assessor.
-Seattle's public libraries are some of the most
trusted and treasured spaces in our community.
They're the foundation of an affordable, literate,
and welcoming city.
At a time of nationwide attacks on education and
information, they stand for something fundamental: free and
equal access to knowledge for everyone.
To protect and expand these vital resources,
we must vote yes on Proposition 1, the library
levy that provides more than one-third of library funding.
Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities in the country,
and our libraries must be able to keep up with
our changing needs.
Proposition 1 invests in the collections, programs, services,
and spaces that we and our neighbors rely on every day.
The levy ensures that our libraries can meet
the increased demand and rising costs of books,
especially the digital books that are more popular than ever.
It expands free learning programs for children
and families, immigrants and refugees, seniors,
and people who may not have other ways to access technology
or educational support.
It ensures that aging library buildings are
maintained and upgraded, improving seismic safety,
accessibility, and energy efficiency at our
neighborhood branches and at our iconic
Central Library Downtown.
Libraries are essential for everyone.
Thanks to Proposition 1, all of us can access
trusted information, explore new ideas, and
feel welcome regardless of our background or income.
This measure replaces the expiring 2019 levy and would
cost the average homeowner about $9 more per month.
Tax exemptions are available for seniors and
people with disabilities.
The Library Board ensures levy dollars are spent
properly and provides regular reports to the public.
Proposition 1 is supported by library workers, community
organizations, civic leaders, and neighbors across Seattle.
Please join us to vote yes on Proposition 1 by August 4th
for Seattle's libraries.
♪♪