Timberland Regional Library’s levy lid lift has passed, district declares

With 56.69% approval a week after election day, the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) declared victory for its levy lid lift. The ballot measure approved by voters raises TRL’s levy rate by $0.13, from $0.22 per $1,000 of assessed value to $0.35 per $1,000 of assessed value for 2027 and 2028. The $0.13 rate increase amounts to about $14 million in additional revenue for 2027, according to TRL. After 2028, TRL can raise its levy by 1% each year without going back to voters The levy lid lift was TRL’s solution to a $3.8 million budget shortfall that has led to layoffs, the resignation of former Executive Director Cheryl Heywood, and the departure of two senior employees who spoke disparagingly about board members and patrons in messages that later became public. The TRL Board of Trustees, TRL administrators, staff and patrons generally agreed that TRL needs to pass a levy lid lift by the end of 2027 to stabilize TRL’s budget and prevent further layoffs.

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