Government
Olympia council backs Timberland library levy, votes to oppose two statewide initiatives
At its Oct. 6 meeting, the Olympia City Council supported Timberland Regional Library's levy lid lift and unanimously opposed statewide initiatives IL26-638 and IL26-001.
The Olympia City Council took positions on three November ballot measures at its Tuesday, Oct. 6 meeting.
Library levy (Proposition No. 1). City staff recommended that the council support the Timberland Regional Library levy lid lift. If voters approve it, TRL's property tax rate would go from 22 cents to 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. TRL spokesperson Chris Chrzan told The Olympian in July that Thurston County homeowners would pay about $69 more per year. The city staff report says the levy would raise roughly $14 million in its first year. TRL plans to use the money to restore staffing, extend hours, cut wait times on popular titles and catch up on deferred building maintenance. The 29-library system faces a $3.8 million budget shortfall, the Olympia Capitol Record reported.
Two initiatives opposed. The council voted unanimously to oppose two initiatives backed by the Let's Go Washington campaign, according to The Olympian:
- IL26-638 would bar transgender girls from competing in girls' sports at K-12 public schools and nonprofit organizations. It would require students to submit documentation from a healthcare provider verifying biological sex.
- IL26-001 would reverse changes the Legislature made in 2025 through House Bill 1296 to the state's parental rights law.
Several residents spoke against both initiatives at the meeting, and no one spoke in favor, The Olympian reported.
Ballots for the Nov. 3 general election went out to Thurston County voters on Oct. 8. See today's companion story for drop box and voting center details.
