Election officials certified on Tuesday, Aug. 19, that voters approved Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries’ levy lid lift. Districtwide, 54,434 ballots were cast in favor (54.2%) and 45,994 against (45.8%).
The measure passed in Clark, Klickitat and Skamania counties but failed in Cowlitz County. Certified totals by county are:
The levy will restore FVRL’s regular property tax rate to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in 2026. It is the library district’s first levy lid lift since 2010.
The district plans to add 13% more open hours, launch the long-planned Washougal Community Library building project, purchase a Clark County bookmobile and invest in both digital and physical collections as well as technology upgrades.
Without an approved levy lid lift, the district would have experienced a 30% reduction in open hours, eliminated 68 staff positions, cut over 1,500 programs and canceled plans for new facilities and outreach services.
