Edmonds, Wash., Drops Out of Library
System in Wake of Antitax Measure
Shortly after the statewide antitax measure I-695 took effect in Washington, the Edmonds City Council voted January 4 to terminate the city’s $1-million contract with the Sno-Isle Regional Library System. The action could result in the end of library service in Edmonds next January unless residents vote to be annexed into the Sno-Isle taxing district.
Mayor Gary Haakenson told the January 6 Seattle Times that the money freed up by dropping the contract would ease future budget cuts necessitated by the $1.4-million annual drop in Edmonds’ revenue resulting from I-695. However, he noted that if the annexation is approved, property-tax revenues going toward library services would likely be more than the city now pays Sno-Isle. “We are not trying to get rid of the library,” said Haakenson. “All we’re doing is finding another way to fund it.”
None of the seven other cities that contract with the regional system have announced plans to cancel their agreements, Sno-Isle spokeswoman Mary Kelly told the newspaper.
Posted January 10, 2000.
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