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Providence approves short ballot question asking voters about funding a city library as county funding ends
Summary
Council approved language for a nonbinding ballot question to gauge voter support for a property-tax levy to fund local library services after the county library's funding ends; council added brief context noting the county library is closing and estimated the cost at about $55.30/year for a $500,000 home.
Providence's council approved language for a nonbinding ballot question asking residents whether they would support a new property-tax levy to fund city library services if county funding ceases. The council revised the proposed question to add brief context and an estimated homeowner cost.
Staff noted the county will cease library funding and that a city-level funding mechanism would be necessary to maintain library services. After discussion about ballot clarity, council agreed to a concise question that states, "As the county library is closing, should Providence City consider imposing a new property-tax levy to fund all related library services?" Staff included an estimate of roughly $55.30 per year for a homeowner with a $500,000 fair-market-value home.
Councilors discussed whether additional explanatory material could accompany the ballot; staff said nonbinding questions generally do not include pro/con statements and that extra pages or a second page would increase printing costs. One staff member suggested publishing background information on the city website and in voter information materials. The council voted to approve the amended wording and asked staff to coordinate with the county on timing and filing requirements for the fall 2026 ballot.
