Sno Isle library leaders brief Stanwood council; levy restoration on August ballot

Sno Isle Libraries representatives told the Stanwood City Council on June 25 that a levy restoration measure will appear on the August ballot and is central to the district’s operating budget. Eric Howard, introduced as the district’s executive director, framed the vote as a restoration to the 2018 levy rate and said the levy is the primary source of operating funds.

Charles Pratt, the Stanwood library manager, said the district operates 23 libraries and a bookmobile that serves more than 300 daycares and senior centers in the district. “I am Charles Pratt. Please call me Chuck,” he said in his presentation. Pratt told councilmembers the libraries are in a strategic planning year and are prioritizing services for children ages 0–3, credentialing for daycare workers, and expanded community programming.

Howard said roughly 91% of Sno Isle’s revenue comes from levies and that, because the district is limited to a 1% annual tax‑levy growth cap, the restoration is necessary to maintain hours, books and services in the face of inflation. He also described outreach plans — surveys, focus groups and community presentations — intended to inform the district’s five‑year plan.

Pratt noted the district’s recent growth in library card signups and said the libraries have increased programming (about 6,000 events districtwide last year). He encouraged councilmembers and community groups to invite staff for presentations and described tools for private donations (friends groups and the Sno Isle Libraries foundation) to supplement levy and state support.

The presentation closed with an invitation for councilmembers to continue the conversation one‑on‑one and with staff offering to provide more detailed budget and levy materials on the district’s website.