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Council schedules follow-up meeting on advisory library ballot after public concerns about rush
Summary
Councilmembers debated timing of an advisory library ballot; several public commenters and some councilmembers urged delaying to the November 2026 ballot. The council voted to schedule a second special meeting to consider the library advisory question.
The Liberty Lake City Council moved to schedule a follow-up special meeting to consider an advisory vote on a proposed library and community center after residents and several council members said the measure is being rushed.
Multiple public commenters told the council they opposed placing an advisory library measure on an off-cycle ballot with limited time for public information and funding details. Kim Schmidt said the window to prepare for an August ballot is too short and called for more time: "There's too many unknowns at this point ' what is the funding mechanism? No floor plan has been selected yet," she told the council. Shelly Smith and other residents also urged waiting until the November 2026 ballot to give staff time to develop funding options and plans.
City staff and the auditor's office outlined logistical constraints and costs tied to a ballot question. City staff referenced the auditor's guidance that advisory votes require a statement of subject and explanatory language adopted by resolution and that pro/con committee formation and rebuttal periods are part of the process. Auditor staff estimated the cost of placing an advisory measure on the ballot at about $5,000.
Council discussion split on timing. Some council members argued the council owed voters an early advisory vote; others warned the community was being asked to decide without sufficient information and staff capacity. Councilmembers agreed there was not sufficient time in the meeting to finish the library agenda item and moved to schedule a follow-up meeting.
A motion to schedule another special meeting passed in that meeting with the tally reported by the mayor (in favor: 4; opposed: 3). The council directed staff to prepare the required resolution, ballot language and supporting materials ahead of the next meeting so council and staff can address deadlines the county auditor requires for ballot processing.
City staff noted deadlines in August for the auditor's office and explained that materials must be assembled in time to meet the auditor's requirements. The council will decide at the follow-up meeting whether to place an advisory question on a specific upcoming ballot; the follow-up meeting also will allow staff to present funding, floor-plan and cost details requested by multiple public commenters.
