Stevens County Library Levy Faces Initial Rejection, Threatening Service Cuts
In Stevens County, a proposed tax levy intended to support local libraries has fallen short in the initial vote count. The levy, which would impose a tax rate of 44 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for ten years, aimed to generate $1.1 million to maintain services and hours across the county's seven library branches. The first batch of ballots showed 54% of voters rejecting the levy. Despite the setback, Library Director Amanda Six remains hopeful as not all ballots have been counted. The library district has been preparing for this possibility over the past six months, planning to avoid layoffs and manage open positions without filling them. Additionally, the materials budget, which includes books, movies, and databases, may face cuts if the levy does not pass. 
