Results of library levy election too close to call

Results are too close to call in Tuesday’s special election for a proposed property-tax levy for Sno-Isle Libraries.

The “yes” votes on the measure, which needs a simple majority, were slightly ahead after the second ballot count. A total of 52,320 people, or 50.02 percent, voted to accept the levy while 52,279, or 49.98 percent, cast ballots against it.

Voters in Island and Snohomish counties participated in the special election.

Those who live in Island County were predominantly in favor of the levy, with nearly 62 percent voting yes. The majority of voters in Snohomish County, however, cast ballots against it; nearly 53 percent voted against it and 47 percent voted for it.

The ballot measure, if passed, would add 9 cents to the current library property tax levy. If it does pass, the levy rate in 2019 would be 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

If the measure doesn’t pass, the existing levy would continue. Library officials, however, said the revenue wouldn’t meet the rising costs of maintaining services and the budget would be reduced starting in 2019.