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Washington County previews WCCLS levy planning and West Slope transition to community nonprofit
Summary
County staff said the library local option levy will need renewal next budget cycle and that operations and governance work is underway; the West Slope library will move to Garden Home Community Library Association in FY2025–26.
Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) staff told the budget committee that the system’s current five‑year local option levy (22¢ per $1,000 assessed value) expires in June 2026. WCCLS is leading a multiyear funding and governance process with city and nonprofit partners to set a fiscally‑sustainable model for the next levy cycle, with goals to establish consistent baseline service across jurisdictions and to identify funding and allocation metrics that reflect partner roles.
Why it matters: The libraries levy is a major recurring revenue source for county libraries. Renewal decisions will affect hours, collections, digital services and neighborhood library operations across Washington County.
West Slope transition and budget impacts: Staff confirmed West Slope library operations will transfer to the Garden Home Community Library Association pending final contracts, and the FY2025–26 proposed budget closes the West Slope fund (01/1985). That transfer reduces the county’s direct operating responsibility for that building. The proposed county budget applies a 17% reduction in general‑fund support to the library allocation while retaining a 1% operational increase for partner jurisdictions in lieu of a 3% increase proposed earlier.
Digital collections and costs: WCCLS has increased digital‑collection spending by 5% in the proposed budget, but staff noted demand for ebooks and audiobooks has grown about 25% annually—so the 5% increase will not keep pace with demand and is likely to lengthen patron wait times for popular digital titles.
Levy planning: Staff said WCCLS will prepare an educational campaign with partners ahead of the FY2026–27 levy replacement proposal. The county will engage city partners to identify base service levels and equity considerations across 16 library locations in the cooperative.
Ending: Staff urged committee members to consider the coordinated funding and governance work as a multiyear process and noted the library levy renewal campaign will be a major focus next year.
