The Pasco City Council voted unanimously Aug. 18 to authorize the city manager to serve notice of termination on the interlocal cooperation agreement with Mid Columbia Libraries and begin an approximate 18‑month process to explore annexation into the Mid Columbia Library District.

The action follows a presentation by Kyle Cox, executive director and chief librarian of Mid Columbia Libraries, who described library services in Pasco and the potential funding and service benefits of annexation. “If Pasco annexed into MCL, this would wind us up with the standard model of most cities your size in the state,” Cox said, explaining annexation can provide stable levy funding rather than an annual contract.

Deputy City Manager Dave Zabel (serving at the meeting) summarized the proposed resolution and timeline. He said approving the resolution would authorize the city manager to deliver a notice of termination of the ILA and begin an 18‑month process that includes negotiations over branch locations, transition details and the statutory annexation steps described by MCL.

Why it matters: Pasco has contracted with Mid Columbia Libraries for library services since 1973. Annexation would move Pasco from a contract model to district levy funding; Cox estimated the city’s annexation could produce roughly $3 million annually for library services under current assumptions and a property tax example of $99.90 per year for a $419,686 home at Mid Columbia’s current levy rate (23¢ per $1,000 assessed value).

What council approved: The council adopted Resolution No. 4639 authorizing the city manager to serve notice of termination of the interlocal cooperation agreement between the City of Pasco and Mid Columbia Libraries. The motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Grimm and seconded by Councilmember Perales; the motion passed unanimously.

Process and timeline: Cox and staff described the annexation steps in state law: the city council adopts an ordinance initiating annexation, the library board passes a resolution of concurrence, the county commissioners place a measure on a special election ballot and a simple majority vote is required for annexation. Staff said the termination/annexation initiative will allow a multi‑month public information process and negotiation over service details.

Public interest and budget context: Cox noted Mid Columbia Libraries receives nearly 40% of its revenue from contracts and has the lowest total revenue per capita among similarly sized systems in Washington. He said annexation would create stable levy funding and parity with other annexed cities in the district; city staff noted industrial assessed valuation growth could change levy outcomes prior to annexation.

Ending: The council gave staff direction to proceed with notification and set the 18‑month exploratory timeline. Any final annexation would require additional steps, public notice and a vote under state law.