PORT ANGELES — Clallam County voters will have a decision to make next month — whether to approve a levy lid lift for the North Olympic Library System.
Library leaders say the measure would restore the district’s regular property tax rate to 45 cents per one-thousand dollars of assessed value. Right now, that rate sits at about 28 cents per thousand. Under state law, junior taxing districts like libraries can only increase collections by one percent a year unless voters sign off on what’s called a lid lift.
According to NOLS officials, the tax rate has gradually dropped over time, and revenue hasn’t kept up with rising operating costs.
If voters approve the measure, the new rate would take effect in 2027. For a home assessed at $400,000, the library estimates that would mean about five dollars and sixty-seven cents more per month.
Levy dollars make up nearly 90 percent of the library system’s operating budget.
Ballots for the April 28th special election will be mailed to registered voters, and a simple majority is required for approval.