PORT ANGELES — A measure to lift the North Olympic Library System’s levy is holding a narrow lead in early, unofficial returns.
As of just after 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, about 51 percent of voters are backing the measure, with just under 49 percent opposed. The margin is just over 400 votes.
The proposal would restore the library’s property tax rate from about 28 cents to 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, beginning in 2027.
For homeowners, that translates to roughly $6 more a month on a $400,000 home.
Library officials say the levy funds nearly 90 percent of the system’s operating budget. They say the lid lift is needed because state law limits property tax growth to one percent per year, and that is not keep pace with costs —causing the effective tax rate to shrink over time.
Election officials say more results are expected Wednesday afternoon.