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Seattle committee weighs dozens of amendments to 2026 library levy as chair warns of levy-cap trade-offs
Summary
The Select Committee on the Library Levy on March 31 heard public support for added investments and reviewed sponsor amendments that would add tens of millions to the mayor's $410 million proposal; Chair Maritza Rivera said further increases risk shrinking future levy capacity and urged fiscal caution. The committee scheduled a public hearing April 2 and a final vote April 8.
The Select Committee on the Library Levy on March 31 reviewed more than a dozen proposed amendments to the mayor's draft $410 million 2026 library levy, while residents urged the committee to expand collections and programs. Chair Maritza Rivera framed the meeting around the trade-offs of adding funding now, saying the proposed package already exceeds the 2019 levy by 50% and that additional requests could shrink the city's future levy capacity.
"I cannot in good conscience support any additions to this levy," Chair Maritza Rivera said, adding that the foundation's requests would raise the package toward $468 million and reduce future levy capacity. She explained the committee uses a 10% reserve based on historic property-value drops and warned that new additions now would limit the city's ability to fund other priorities in later levy cycles.
Public commenters called on the council to expand collections, multilingual programming and services. "These increases are…
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