Seattle Proposition 1 proposes a property tax levy to replace an expiring Library services levy, designating $479,760,000 over seven years to fund investments in Library operating hours and access, collections, technology, maintenance, and administration. Ordinance 127419, in Section 6, describes these categories in more detail, including illustrative examples.
The Library Board’s annual operations plan and capital budget would further govern levy spending. The Board, together with the Executive Director and Chief Librarian, would create two documents submitted to the Mayor and City Council annually: a levy expenditure plan, and a progress report on levy spending and program delivery.
The proposition’s tax rate increase for each property owner would be approximately $0.23 per $1,000 of assessed value, and the maximum rate for the total levy is $3.14/$1,000. The levy would first be collected in 2027. RCW 84.36.381’s senior citizens and disabled persons exemption applies.
Without voter-approved levies, the City is generally limited by state law to increasing annual property taxes by no more than 1% above the highest amount that the City could have received in the prior year. After this proposition finishes levying taxes in 2033, the 1% maximum increase would be calculated as if this proposition had not been passed.
