Sedro-Woolley council sends library annexation to November ballot after tightening explanatory language

The City Council voted to place a November ballot proposition asking Sedro-Woolley voters to annex into the Central Skagit partial county library district, and approved amended explanatory language clarifying the fiscal effects on local taxpayers. Councilmember Carl DeYoung moved the resolution to put the proposition before voters and it passed by voice vote.

The explanatory statement was amended after debate. City counsel read the finalized sentence for the voter pamphlet: "Therefore, the city shall reduce its budgeted property tax levy by up to $474,115 in 2028 to offset most of the new library district property tax." According to staff estimates presented at the meeting, annexation would put the library district on city property tax statements beginning in 2028 and is likely to increase the example homeowner's bill by about $11 per year (for a home with an assessed value around $519,000). Kelly, the staff member who presented the annexation materials, told the council the $474,115 figure was based on the amount the city paid the library district in 2025.

Council members spent substantial time tightening the ballot and voter-pamphlet language to avoid ambiguity about whether the city would actually reduce its levy. "If you want to change 'intends' to 'shall' you're gaining a stronger commitment," one council member said during the debate; legal counsel confirmed that adopting "shall" in the explanatory statement would be binding as part of the council's action on the resolution. Councilwoman Peterson offered a revised paragraph for the voter pamphlet to make clear that the annexation changes how library service is funded and gives city residents a vote on future library levies; the council adopted her suggested phrasing and approved the amended ballot language.

Staff also explained next steps for outreach and compliance with election deadlines: the packet materials and a one-page flyer will be posted on the city website and the city plans to include a copy or a version of the flyer in a utility bill mailing. The county deadline to submit the ballot language was noted as August 4; statements for the county voter pamphlet and committee submissions are due in mid-August. The measure will appear on the general election ballot if all procedural steps are met.