The Sno-Isle Libraries want a levy increase, or they will reduce services and hours at our library. It seems that $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value isn’t enough.

Have you looked at Sno-Isle’s 2009 budget (www.sno-isle.org)? On page 13, you will find that the Sno-Isle Libraries paid their “Administrative Team” a total of $2,580,560, including benefits. The 2009 budget lists a total of eight individuals with the titles of director and an administrative assistant. If divided equally that comes to an annual income of $286,728.

Sno-Isle derives 97 percent of its income from the property tax levy. Simply put, our taxes totally support their lifestyles.

We’re invited to a “community conversation” on Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m., at the Oak Harbor Library. This is an excellent opportunity for Ms. Jonalyn Woolfe-Ivory, Sno-Isle’s director, to provide full disclosure and make public the salaries of Sno-Isle’s Administrative Team.

The taxpayers in Snohomish and Island counties can then decide if we want to give Sno-Isle Libraries $0.50 per $1,000 of the assessed values of our homes.

I think Sno-Isle should do what the rest of us must: adjust to live within our incomes. We can’t tax our neighbors to get a raise.

Robert Lowery

Oak Harbor