County library governance plan would raise North Plains allocation from $209,000 to $512,000 if levy passes

Library Director Robin Doughty presented a multi-year Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) funding and governance proposal at the Sept. 15 council meeting. Under the proposed allocation formula, North Plains' annual funding would increase from the current $209,000 to $512,000 if the countywide library levy and the governance plan are approved.

Doughty explained the formula is based on service population: libraries serving 5,000 or fewer residents would receive a base allocation of four units, and for each additional 2,500 residents a library would receive another unit. She said the proposed plan is intended to improve service consistency and equity across the county.

City Manager Bill Reid cautioned that if the county levy does not pass in November, the allocation to North Plains would be significantly less than the current $209,000, and exact figures in that contingency were not provided in the minutes. After the presentation the council reached consensus to support the proposed funding and governance changes.

Councilors also praised library outreach programs; Library Director Doughty earlier reported successful pop-up Storytimes that drew more than 50 attendees per event and engaged working families.

Council members and residents seeking precise allocation scenarios tied to different levy outcomes should request the WCCLS proposal documents or contact library staff for full modeling and contingency figures.