Skagit County interlocal provides $17,481 for Anacortes library materials; county says this will be last year of funding

The council approved an interlocal cooperation agreement with Skagit County to accept $17,481 in funding for library materials for 2025.

Mister Vogel presented the agreement and said the funding assists Anacortes Public Librarys ability to provide materials for nonresident users in unincorporated Skagit County. "This is our Interlocal with Skagit County. For decades," he said, describing the program and the 2025 amount.

Vogel said the county had sent a letter indicating this will be the last year they are able to provide the funds because they are facing their own budget difficulties. Councilmember Fantini asked whether the county's notice was permanent or a pause; Vogel said the letter read as a permanent cessation of funding but that staff could follow up.

Motion and vote: Councilmember Fantini moved and Councilmember Young seconded approval of the interlocal cooperation agreement. Roll-call votes recorded: Cooley McGrath — yes; Moulton — yes; Hubick — yes; Fantini — yes; Young — yes; Walters — yes. The motion carried.

Why this matters: The county-funded allocation has offset nonresident materials costs at area libraries for decades; its elimination will reduce a recurring source of materials funding.

Next steps: Staff to accept the funds for 2025 and follow up with Skagit County for clarity about future commitments.

Speakers

- Mister Vogel, staff presenter. - Councilmember Fantini, mover; Councilmember Young, seconder.

Authorities

[]

Actions

[{"kind":"interlocal","identifiers":{"agenda_item_id":"6C","contract_number":"","project_slug":"skagit-library-interlocal-2025"},"motion":"Approve interlocal cooperation agreement between City of Anacortes and Skagit County for library materials funding of $17,481.","mover":"Councilmember Fantini","second":"Councilmember Young","vote_record":[{"member":"Cooley McGrath","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Moulton","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Hubick","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Fantini","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Young","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Walters","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":6,"no":0,"abstain":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"County notified libraries this will be the last year of distributions due to county budget constraints."}]

Discussion_decision

- Discussion: Staff explained the program stems from a decades-long county distribution to local libraries to offset nonresident materials costs. - Decision: Council approved acceptance of $17,481 for 2025; staff to follow up with county on future funding.

Clarifying_details

- Amount: $17,481 in 2025 county funding to offset materials for nonresidents (staff presentation). - County notice: Staff said the county letter indicated it may be a permanent cessation; staff will seek clarification.

Proper_names

[{"name":"Skagit County","type":"agency"},{"name":"Anacortes Public Library","type":"facility"}]

Community_relevance

{"geographies":["Anacortes","unincorporated Skagit County"],"funding_sources":["Skagit County interlocal funds"],"impact_groups":["library patrons","nonresident users"]}

Meeting_context

{"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":3,"duration_minutes":8,"items_count":1},"implementation_risk":"low","history":[],"notes":"Council accepted the funds for 2025 and recorded staff follow-up to clarify county's future commitment."}

Searchable_tags

["library_funding","Skagit County","interlocal_agreement"]

Provenance

{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"block-3010","local_start":0,"local_end":140,"evidence_excerpt":"Good evening, mayor and council. So this is the annual, funding from the county. This is our Interlocal with Skagit County... And this year, it's a sum of 17,481 to assist in providing library materials to residents of unincorporated Skagit County, so nonresidents.","tc_start":"00:50:10","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"block-3132","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"K. Motion by mister Fantini and a second by mister Young to approve the interlocal cooperation agreement between the city of Anacortes and Skagit County for library materials. Any additional discussion? ... Motion carries.","tc_start":"00:51:56","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}