The Timberland Regional Library System has served the city of Winlock since its inception, but the city has never officially been annexed into the multi-county library district.
That could all change this November, as residents in Winlock will have a chance to decide whether they will pay for library services with their own tax money or whether the city continues to pay for contract services from Timberland.
The Lewis County Commission voted 3-0 on Monday to pass a resolution that will bring the issue to a vote in November. As it stands, Winlock pays about $30,000 per year from the city’s general budget for Timberland Regional Library to provide a full library service to the town, according to Mayor Lonnie Dowell.
The city of Winlock owns the building at 322 NE First St. that the library uses on a contract basis, leasing it from the city.
It’s a departure from most other towns and cities that are part of the Timberland system, as residents in most towns they serve have voted to formally annex into the system. Being part of the library district essentially means the library is funded directly from taxpayers, and provides those people benefits such as being able to have library cards.
“We’re one of the last cities to operate on a lease basis with Timberland,” Dowell told The Chronicle on Monday. “If the voters say to annex in, we’ll still maintain the building and pay for the upkeep. It just means we won’t pay for the library from our general budget.”
City leaders held a joint workshop with Timberland Regional Library officials March 18, and councilors approved bringing it to a vote of the people in a March 24 meeting. Timberland then passed a similar measure in late May, and Monday’s step of county commissioners approving the issue being placed before voters was the final step.
Now, Winlock voters will vote on an issue unique to them. In essence, Timberland will still operate there regardless of the vote — but annexation into the library system would eliminate the city of Winlock as the middle man and plug library patrons in the Egg City right into Timberland directly.
“If it passes, the city won’t pay the $30,000; instead, it’ll just be added directly to everyone’s taxes,” Dowell said.
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Christopher Brewer: (360) 807-8235
