Kitsap trustees authorize 12-cent levy increase for August ballot, appoint 'vote yes' committee and adopt ACH policy

The Kitsap Regional Library Board of Trustees approved a resolution April 22 to place a proposition on the Aug. 5, 2025 ballot asking voters to authorize a 12-cent increase in the district’s regular property tax levy, and at the same meeting the board authorized a vote‑yes committee and adopted an ACH Electronic Funds Transfer Policy recommended by the State Auditor’s Office.

The board passed Resolution 2020-53, which the board packet describes as authorizing the district to increase its regular property tax levy "to maintain essential services, spaces, and collections at our current levels." Jeannie Allen, director of strategy and communications, told trustees the measure is intended to stabilize funding for "the next 6 to 10 years" and that the proposal contains "very little that... is beyond the normal growth" the district anticipates.

"What this resolution is asking is for authorization to allow Jason to take this to the county to put it on the ballot for August 5," Allen said, adding the measure would authorize a 12¢ increase.

Appointment of advocacy committee

Following passage of the levy resolution, the board approved a separate resolution authorizing three individuals to serve on a vote‑yes committee that will prepare an argument supporting the proposition for the county. The resolution identifies three people as the vote‑yes committee members in the board packet; their names were not read aloud during the meeting and are not specified on the public transcript provided at the meeting.

Library director Jason (full name not provided in the transcript) told trustees the board now has the authority to appoint persons to form both vote‑yes and vote‑no committees once a ballot title is set and other propositions on the ballot are known.

ACH policy adoption

The board also approved an ACH Electronic Funds Transfer Policy after a brief staff summary. Dan Baer, identified in the meeting as deputy director and chief operating and financial officer, said the policy documents internal controls for electronic payments and follows best practices in the State Auditor’s Office handbook. "The SAO has recommended that we make this public, that we have this in place," Baer said; staff materials in the packet note the policy is intended to respond to new SAO guidance on ACH payments.

Other routine business

The board approved the consent agenda by voice vote, which included minutes from the March 25 regular board meeting, payment of March 2025 bills and surplus library materials withdrawn from the collection for March 2025. Trustees set the next meeting for May 27, 2025.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, March bills, surplus materials): passed by voice vote; mover/second not specified on the public transcript. - Resolution 2020-53 (place 12¢ levy increase on Aug. 5, 2025 ballot): passed by voice vote; mover/second not specified on the public transcript. - Resolution to appoint a vote‑yes committee (authorizing three individuals): passed by voice vote; mover/second not specified on the public transcript; committee member names not read into the record. - ACH Electronic Funds Transfer Policy: passed by voice vote; mover/second not specified on the public transcript.

The board did not record named roll-call tallies in the public portion of the meeting; each action recorded in the transcript passed following a voice vote of "Aye."