Open Hours
*Tue - Thur: 10:00am - 7:00pm. *Fri- Sat: 10:00am 5:00pm
Phone
360-853-7716
45952 Main St
Concrete, WA 98237
*Tue - Thur: 10:00am - 7:00pm. *Fri- Sat: 10:00am 5:00pm
360-853-7716
Concrete, WA 98237
The Upper Skagit Library Board of Trustees is asking voters to restore the property tax levy rate to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value—the same rate originally approved by voters in 2010—to ensure that essential library services remain available to our community.
Washington State law allows the Upper Skagit Library to collect up to $0.50 for every $1,000 of assessed property value each year to fund daily operations and maintenance.
Right now, the library collects $0.32 per $1,000. Over time, costs have gone up, but funding has not kept pace with basic needs.
This proposal asks voters to restore the rate to $0.50 per $1,000 starting in 2026.
When a government imposes a tax it is said to “levy” that tax. For our purposes, a levy is a fixed-rate property tax that funds the main operations of a taxing district. When a taxing district determines the total revenue required to operate and voters approve, the amount of money that needs to be collected per property for each $1,000 of total assessed value to reach the target revenue – or “levy rate” is calculated.
Washington State law mandates that tax levies may only increase by 1% annually, with small allowable adjustments for new construction projects, regardless of the rate of change of property values.
Washington State Initiative 747 was passed in 2001 and took effect in 2002. The intention of the initiative was to limit how much property tax revenue can be collected every year. Even if the assessed value of properties becomes higher the total amount of revenue collected from existing properties can generally only increase by 1% each year (with some exceptions for tax revenue generated by new construction) unless voters approve a change, or “levy lid lift.”
The operational costs of taxing districts tend to rise faster than 1% annually, while at the same time levy rates tend to decrease to avoid levying more than the 1% limit as property values increase, creating a gap in funding even while prices and demands for services increase.
A levy lid lift is a voter-approved increase in the levy rate that surpasses the 1% increase limitation with the intention of bridging the gap between the required revenue a taxing district needs to operate and what is actually generated with the current levy rate. A levy lid lift is successful when it is approved by a simple majority of voters in an election. Levy lid lifts can be requested for a single year or a multiple year for up to 6 years.
No. This is a return to the previous 2010 rate that has decreased over time.
USL’s largest expenses include staff payroll and benefits, facility expenses such as maintenance, utilities, and insurance, service costs like internet, software, accounting, etc, office supplies and technological equipment, collection purchases, and program supplies.
The library’s budget as well as a breakdown of the library’s expenditures and other financial information, as well as monthly and annual statistics can be found on our Board of Trustees page of our website.
Restoring the levy would:
Maintain current services – keeping open hours, staffing, and existing programs in place.
Support schools – continuing services for Concrete School District elementary students and potentially expanding to middle and high school students.
Preserve and grow collections – ensuring the community has access to books, digital resources, and materials.
Allow for future growth – making it possible to add new services and programs.
Without the levy increase, the library would face funding cuts. This could mean:
Closing the library one or more days a week
Reducing staff and ending staff training opportunities
Deferring building and technology maintenance
Cutting programs and shrinking collections
Eliminating or reducing certain services such as:
Printing, notary, laminating
Wi-Fi, tech help and Hotspot lending program
Scaling back outreach and services to the Concrete School District
≈ $16.67 / month per household
One library card unlocks all of this and more for everyone in the home.
Enter your estimated monthly usage and discover your potential savings.
Figures are based on publicly available service pricing for similar resources in Northwest Washington and nationwide.
On November 4, 2025, voters who live within the Upper Skagit Library District will be asked to consider restoring the library’s levy rate to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This rate—originally approved by voters in 2010—would increase the current levy of $0.32 by $0.18. The funds will support library operations, helping maintain and potentially expand the quality and variety of resources available to the community.
Since its formation in 2001, the library has not requested a rate increase. Over time, the levy rate has declined, while services have grown significantly:
A move to a larger building in 2021
More days and hours of operation
Expanded staff (both part-time and full-time)
A larger collection, seed library, and increased number of programs
Partnerships with organizations such as Sustainable Connections’ Food Recovery Program, Skagit County Public Health, Concrete School District, Concrete Boys & Girls Club, Concrete Resource Coalition, Leadership Skagit, Days for Girls International, and Career Online High School
Community use has more than doubled since the new building opened, reflecting the growing demand for resources and programs.
Library staff and services have earned national and state recognition:
Washington Library Association Outstanding Service Award (2023–2024)
Association for Rural and Small Libraries Distinguished Service Award
Participation in Latino Leadership Initiative and Leadership Skagit
SWAN Scholarship Award for completion of MLIS studies
The library has also received multiple grants, including:
$5,000 Skagit Community Foundation grant for youth snack baskets, coffee bar, and more
Washington State Library/IMLS Tabletop Role-Playing Games Mini-Grant
ALA & FINRA Investor Education Foundation’s Thinking Money for Kids program kit
$3,717 from Skagit Valley Co-Op’s 5% Friday Shopping fundraiser supporting the Upriver Community Freedge
The library has also published a youth anthology book funded by American Legion Hall Post #132 and has shared expertise through WLA conference presentations and professional articles.
Since its formation in 2001, the library has not requested a rate increase. Over time, the levy rate has declined, while services have grown significantly:
A move to a larger building in 2021
More days and hours of operation
Expanded staff (both part-time and full-time)
A larger collection, seed library, and increased number of programs
Partnerships with organizations such as Sustainable Connections’ Food Recovery Program, Skagit County Public Health, Concrete School District, Concrete Boys & Girls Club, Concrete Resource Coalition, Leadership Skagit, Days for Girls International, and Career Online High School
Community use has more than doubled since the new building opened, reflecting the growing demand for resources and programs.
Library staff and services have earned national and state recognition:
Washington Library Association Outstanding Service Award (2023–2024)
Association for Rural and Small Libraries Distinguished Service Award
Participation in Latino Leadership Initiative and Leadership Skagit
SWAN Scholarship Award for completion of MLIS studies
The library has also received multiple grants, including:
$5,000 Skagit Community Foundation grant for youth snack baskets, coffee bar, and more
Washington State Library/IMLS Tabletop Role-Playing Games Mini-Grant
ALA & FINRA Investor Education Foundation’s Thinking Money for Kids program kit
$3,717 from Skagit Valley Co-Op’s 5% Friday Shopping fundraiser supporting the Upriver Community Freedge
The library has also published a youth anthology book funded by American Legion Hall Post #132 and has shared expertise through WLA conference presentations and professional articles.
After careful review of finances, community needs, and future trends, it is clear that an increased operating budget is necessary to:
Cover rising operational costs
Maintain collections and building upkeep
Support increased demand for programs, open hours, and staff assistance
Recent changes in funding structures also impact the library’s future:
In March 2025, the federal government announced plans to wind down the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) by 2026. IMLS has been a major funding source for state and local libraries.
In May 2025, the Washington State Legislature reduced the state library’s budget to address a statewide shortfall. This has already led to:
Closure of the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library
Staff layoffs at the Washington State Library
Potential cuts to statewide digital resources such as the Washington Digital Library Consortium (Libby), which could leave local libraries to self-fund or reduce access
The Upper Skagit Library is a junior taxing district, similar to a school or fire district. This means it is not part of Skagit County government and does not receive county funding—though the county does provide a level of oversight for library funds.
The majority of library funding comes from property taxes paid by community members within the Concrete School District, which stretches from parts of Birdsview east to Marblemount.
Forest/Timber Taxes – When timber is harvested, a portion of these taxes is shared: 1% goes to the state’s general fund and 4% goes to the county. Occasionally, the county shares part of its portion with the Upper Skagit Library. However, this funding is inconsistent and unpredictable.
Library Foundation & Friends of the Library –
The Upper Skagit Library Foundation (a 501(c)3 nonprofit) supports the library with large-scale fundraising projects.
The Friends of the Upper Skagit Library focus on smaller fundraising efforts.
Donations to these groups may help reimburse the library for certain program costs and services, but this support is also variable.
If approved, the levy rate would be restored to $0.50 —the same rate voters approved in 2010.
For a home assessed at $400,000 (district average), the total amount would be $16.67 per month or $200 per year.
| Home Value | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $12.50 | $150.00 |
| $400,000 | $16.67 | $200.00 |
| $500,000 | $20.83 | $250.00 |
Estimates are based on assessed value (not market value). Actual cost may vary depending on the assessment of your specific property.
Enter your property’s assessed value to see your estimated annual and monthly cost if the levy is restored at $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Monthly: $0.00
Annual: $0.00
This reflects an estimate for the total monthly and annual cost a homeowner would pay in 2026.
Note: This tool provides an estimate only. Actual amounts may vary depending on Skagit County’s final assessed property value, exemptions, or other local factors.
On November 4, 2025, voters who live within the Upper Skagit Library District will be asked to consider restoring the library’s levy rate to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This rate—originally approved by voters in 2010—would increase the current levy of $0.32 by $0.18. The funds will support library operations, helping maintain and potentially expand the quality and variety of resources available to the community.
UPPER SKAGIT RURAL PARTIAL COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
PROPOSITION NO. 1
LEVY LID LIFT
The Board of Trustees of the Upper Skagit Rural Partial County Library District adopted Resolution 2025-03 concerning its regular property tax levy. This proposition would authorize the District to restore its regular property tax levy to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2026 to provide continued funding for the Library District’s operation and maintenance. The resulting dollar amount of the 2026 levy would be used for the purpose of computing subsequent levy limitations as provided by RCW 84.55. Should this proposition be approved?
YES . . . . . . . . . .
NO . . . . . . . . . .
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
State law allows Upper Skagit Rural Partial County Library District d/b/a Upper Skagit Library to collect up to $0.50/$1,000 of assessed property value per year for general operations and maintenance. Over time, the Library’s levy rate has dropped to $0.32/$1,000, and the funding has not kept pace with the Library’s basic needs. Passage of this proposition, which is necessary to maintain the present and future levels of services and collections of the Library, would restore the levy rate to $0.50/$1,000 for 2026. The resulting 2026 levy amount would be used to calculate all applicable tax limitations thereafter.
Approval of this proposition would meet community needs by providing necessary funding for the operations and maintenance of the Library. It would preserve open hours, staffing, and programming, including services currently provided to the Concrete School District elementary school, and enable the possible addition of new Library services and programming, such as expanding services to the Concrete School District middle and high schools.
Rejection of this proposition would mean reduced funding for the Library, necessitating reductions to library services, materials and open hours. The Library would be closed one or more days a week and would be required to reduce staffing and eliminate staff education and training programs. Building and technology maintenance would need to be deferred. The Library would need to reduce funds spent on programming and collections. Certain Library services, such as printing, notary services, laminating, Wi-Fi and other technology assistance and services, and the District’s hotspot lending program, would need to be reduced or eliminated. Services and outreach to the Concrete School District would be reduced.
Approve the Board of Trustees request to return to the 2010 voter-approved maximum levy rate of $.50 per $1,000 of assessed homeowner property value in a multi-year levy lid lift.
Deny the Board of Trustees request to return to the 2010 voter-approved maximum levy rate of $.50 per $1,000 of assessed homeowner property value in a multi-year levy lid lift and remain at the current levy rate of .$32 per $1,000 of assessed homeowner property value.
If the levy is not approved and the library district is unable to generate the revenue it needs to operate it is anticipated that the following (and potentially more) would need to occur:
To vote in the November General Election individuals must be citizens of the United States and residents of Washington State who are at least 18 years old. To vote on Upper Skagit Rural Partial County Library District Proposition No. 1 you must live within the area of the Concrete School District.
You can check your voter registration status online.
For more information or to schedule a community presentation please email [email protected] or call 360.853.7716
Statistics and facts about the library coming here soon!