Form revised: July 12, 2011

FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS

Department:	Contact Person/Phone:	CBO Analyst/Phone:
Legislative	Patricia Lee – 386-0078 Sara Belz – 684-5382

Legislation Title: A RESOLUTION relating to The Seattle Public Library and setting forth a structure, process and schedule to consider placing a Library Levy on the August 7, 2012 ballot for funding to be used in combination with existing City funding for Library operations and major maintenance.

Summary of the Legislation:

This resolution recognizes the role a strong public library system plays in the City’s economic, educational and cultural vitality; the Seattle Public Library’s (Library) current reliance for revenue on the City’s General Fund; and the need for a new dedicated and stable source of funding that, in combination with the City’s General Fund, will allow the Library to provide the resources and services valued by Seattle residents and preserve the public’s capital investments in Library buildings.  The Seattle City Council, Mayor, City Librarian and Library Board of Trustees will work together to develop a Library Levy proposal for the August 7, 2012 ballot. 

The Library Board and City Librarian will obtain input from a broad cross-section of the community regarding essential elements of a sustainable Library budget and work with the Mayor and City Council to develop recommendations for a 2012 Library Levy by March 2012.  The City Council established a City Council Special Committee on the Library Levy that will meet from December through April 2012 to consider a 2012 Library Levy for the August 7, 2012 ballot.

Background:  

The Library is funded almost entirely by the City’s General Fund.  The City’s inability to increase regular property taxes by more than one percent without a vote of the people and the resultant constraint this places on the growth of City revenues has had a significant impact on the Library’s budget in recent years.  This includes closure of the entire Library system for one week every year since 2009, Library employees taking an unpaid furlough of one week every year since 2009, 15 of the 26 neighborhood branch libraries reducing operating hours and a 13percent reduction in the library’s collections budget since 2009. 

___X_ This legislation does not have any financial implications.

Other Implications:

a) Does the legislation have indirect financial implications, or long-term implications?

This resolution provides the framework for the City Council, Mayor and Library to discuss and consider placing a Library Levy on the August 2012 ballot.  A levy would impact the future funding of the Library.

b) What is the financial cost of not implementing the legislation?

NA

c) Does this legislation affect any departments besides the originating department?

No

d) What are the possible alternatives to the legislation that could achieve the same or similar objectives?

NA

e) Is a public hearing required for this legislation?

No 

f) Is publication of notice with The Daily Journal of Commerce and/or The Seattle Times required for this legislation?

No

g) Does this legislation affect a piece of property?

No

h) Other Issues:

None