Seattle committee outlines $410 million library levy renewal, confirms FEMA cooling grant

Maritza Rivera, chair of the Select Committee on the Library Levy, opened the April 2 meeting by outlining the mayor’s proposed $410 million, seven‑year library levy renewal and answering questions about funding sources and project timing. Rivera said the proposal is "50% larger than the 2019 levy" and confirmed the committee had received a letter "confirming the grant to add cooling to these five branches by the end of next year." Rivera also told the committee the proposal includes about $86 million for deferred and ongoing maintenance, of which roughly $30 million is new funding.

The clerk read Council Bill 121181 into the record: an ordinance to submit to qualified electors a proposition at an August 4, 2026, election authorizing property-tax levies for up to seven years under chapter 84.55 RCW to fund library technology, materials, maintenance and a retrofit of one library facility. After the bill was read, the chair opened a public hearing; the clerk said 30 speakers were registered in person and five remotely, with each permitted one minute.

Rivera framed the levy as a package that accounts for inflation and adds funding beyond baseline replacement. She described prior committee concern about whether cooling retrofits were covered by federal support and stated the city had received a FEMA grant letter covering cooling installations at five branches. Committee staff and the chair indicated the FEMA award is a one‑time grant and that ongoing building maintenance would rely on levy proceeds included in the proposal.

The hearing record shows no committee vote or final action on the bill at this meeting; the public hearing was held to gather testimony and the committee adjourned after the hearing was closed.

The next formal step listed in the hearing was the public record and committee consideration of Council Bill 121181; no adoption or vote on the ordinance was recorded at this session.