(The Center Square) – Spokane Public Library Director Andrew Chanse warned Thursday that residents will see visible service reductions in 2027 unless local officials increase ongoing support or voters pass a significantly larger levy — his finance director said it could be 328% or more above the current rate.
SPL consists of eight libraries and five 24/7 kiosks, with over 1 million annual visits and 90,000 hours of meeting room time. The last time residents passed a levy for the system was in 2024 at 7 cents per $1,000 assessed property value. It’s due for a renewal next year, and that rate could rise to 30 cents.
The tax currently accounts for 18% of SPL’s $14 million annual budget, with the general fund covering the remaining 82%. Chanse told the Spokane City Council on Thursday that relatively flat general fund support over the last few years has led to an anticipated $2.7 million deficit for the libraries next year.…