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August 28, 2003 COUNTY ASSISTS IN FINDING FUNDING SOLUTIONS FOR LIBRARIES SKAGIT COUNTY – Supporters of a County-wide library system are in the process of collecting signatures to place a levy on the November 4 ballot to provide funding for library service for rural residents. In October, the Skagit County Commissioners, with the support of area librarians, hired a consultant to find a funding solution for city and town libraries to continue to serve rural residents. The commissioners hired Mary Y. Moore to determine if there was a need for a county-wide library system. A county-wide steering committee was appointed to work with the consultant. The library system plan was completed and presented to the commissioners on June 4, 2003. “Each year we receive requests from cities and towns in Skagit County for assistance to fund area libraries providing services for rural residents. Due to budget constraints, we think it’s important the people who live in unincorporated areas of Skagit County to decide if they want to fund this service,” said Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt. “As we work to retain the rural quality of life in our county, it’s important that we provide every citizen with access to information.” Moore urged the commissioners and concerned citizens to take action as soon as possible. “The longer the issue languishes in the planning stage, the longer approximately 40,000 county residents will have to wait to have access to library service,” said Moore. “It makes no sense not to have the issues on the ballot as soon as possible.” The ballot issue calls for an assessment of 39.3 cents per $1,000 of appraised value.
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