Whitman County Rural Library District — Restoring Regular Property Tax Levy for Library Services

What it does

The Board of Trustees of the Whitman County Rural Library District adopted a Resolution concerning the Rural Library District’s regular property tax levy rate. If approved, this Proposition would restore the Rural Library District’s regular property tax levy rate to $0.45 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2026, for collection in 2027 and maintain that rate authorization for each of the nine succeeding years. (the actual levy rate may be reduced below the authorized maximum in any year based on annual budget requirements) and use the 2036 levy amount to calculate subsequent levy limits under chapter 84.55 RCW. Should this proposition be approved

A YES vote means

Whitman County Rural Library District's property tax rate would be restored to up to $0.45 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2027, with that maximum kept for the next nine years.

A NO vote means

The Library District's property tax rate would not be restored to $0.45 per $1,000.

What it would cost

0.45 mills: $45 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value (a mill is $1 per $1,000). Taxable value is after exemptions such as homestead; your tax bill or property appraiser shows yours.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Only on your ballot if you live in the Whitman County Rural Library District.

Background

According to the district's explanatory statement, the Whitman County Rural Library District serves 14 communities, and rising costs and state tax limits have lowered its levy rate over time.

The argument for the measure says it would raise the rate from $0.39 to $0.45 per $1,000. The explanatory statement puts the added cost at $14.30 a year for a $275,000 home and calls the $0.45 rate a self-imposed maximum for ten years.

The argument for, by Blaine Golden, says the district hosted 2,264 programs and circulated 57,173 physical items in 2025. The county guide says no volunteers came forward to write an argument against.

Put on the ballot by Board of Trustees of the Whitman County Rural Library District.

From official source.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Whitman County ballots

• Whitman County Fire District No. 8 Proposition No. 1 — Maintenance and Operation Levy
• Whitman County Fire Protection District No. 14 Proposition No. 1 — Levy Lid Lift
• Whitman County Park District No. 1 (LaCrosse) Proposition No. 1 — Operation and Maintenance Levy
• Garfield Park & Recreation District No. 2 Proposition No. 1 — Maintenance, Repair and Operating Cost Levy
• St. John Park District No. 3 Proposition No. 1 — Operating Fund Levy
• Oakesdale Park and Recreation District No. 4 Proposition No. 1 — Operating, Maintaining and Improving Recreational Facilities
• Endicott Parks & Recreation District No. 7 Proposition No. 1 — Operating, Capital Outlay and Cumulative Reserve Levy
• Oakesdale Cemetery District No. 1 Proposition No. 1 — Improvements and Maintenance Levy
• Whitman County Cemetery District No. 2 Proposition No. 1 — Operation and Maintenance Levy
• St. John Cemetery District No. 3 Proposition No. 1 — Maintenance and Operations Levy
• Whitman County (Endicott) Cemetery District No. 4 Proposition No. 1 — Finance Maintenance and Operations Levy

All Whitman County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Whitman County Rural Library District mean?

Whitman County Rural Library District's property tax rate would be restored to up to $0.45 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2027, with that maximum kept for the next nine years.

What does a NO vote on Whitman County Rural Library District mean?

The Library District's property tax rate would not be restored to $0.45 per $1,000.

How many votes does Whitman County Rural Library District need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Whitman County Rural Library District?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.