Public comments and assembly debate spotlight library funding, governance and accountability

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly heard extended public comment on May 19 about the borough—ontribution to the Ketchikan Public Library and the structure of the non area-wide library mill levy.

Multiple residents and library stakeholders addressed the assembly during the public-comment period, expressing strongly divergent views about whether borough residents receive adequate oversight for money collected through the non area-wide tax that is sent to the City of Ketchikan under a memorandum of agreement. Deborah Simon, a long-time advisory-board member and borough resident, told the assembly: "Either give me a direct elected avenue to library policy and operations or stop giving them my money." Simon urged either a governance change or an end to the borough—ontribution.

Pat Tully, director of the Ketchikan Public Library, presented data in person and in the packet showing that roughly 40% of the borough population lives outside the two cities and that 38% of active library account holders identify as borough residents outside the cities; those cardholders, Tully said, account for 45% of the library's checkouts. "The use of the library by borough residents outside the cities of Ketchikan and Saxman is actually significantly greater than the percentage of the borough's contribution to the library's budget," Tully said.

Other public speakers emphasized access and social services the library provides. Jennifer Simpson, a librarian at Hountling Elementary, said: "I don't think access should be determined by your income," and described the library's role in providing internet access, digital resources and summer reading supports that teachers rely on. Brett Hyatt, a resident, said the library "is a vital islandwide resource serving all residents" and warned that cutting the dedicated levy could reduce services used by homebound seniors and others.

Assembly members questioned staff about the funding formula, account numbers, and how student and household accounts are counted. Assembly Member Thompson noted voters outside city limits had voted in 2022 to retain the levy and observed that the ballot outcome is part of the public record.

Assembly Member Hartson (Aronson in the transcript) moved an amendment to reduce the non area-wide library levy to zero for 2026 and to submit notice to the City of Ketchikan terminating the MOU by June 30, 2025; the motion failed for lack of a second. Borough staff and several assembly members said the financial details and historical context require further review and dialogue with the city. Several residents urged better transparency and additional reporting on usage by geography; library staff said some data are limited by privacy protections in library systems but pledged to explore options.

The public-comment session included more than a dozen speakers on the topic and the assembly did not make a final change to the levy at the May 19 meeting. Staff advised the assembly the final mill-levy resolution will be considered as part of the tax-setting process and a separate budget action; assembly members requested additional information and follow-up meetings with staff and the city.

The library debate was the meeting's longest public-comment segment and reflected long-standing questions in the borough about how shared services should be funded and governed.