Supplemental Levy FAQs

More Than Books: Investing in Our Staff and Countywide Services and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions About VTL’s Supplemental Levy
A PDF version of the FAQs is available here.

What is a levy and the Supplemental Levy?
A levy is simply the collecting of a tax or other payment. The Supplemental Levy is a voter approved levy that generates funds a library district, school district, or other unit of government can use to support annual operating costs. If approved, the levy will be effective for two years beginning October 1, 2023 and used for the maintenance and operation of the library district. 

Why do we need a Supplemental Levy now?
VTL has not made a Supplemental Levy request to voters since 2015 despite steep increases to costs of living and operating expenses. The request will help:

• Retain our dedicated staff by offering competitive pay and benefits that allow them to remain employed in the valley
• Maintain staffing levels that ensure a high standard of service
• Increase countywide services and resources 
• Levy funds stay local, reinvested into our community

What is my cost as a taxpayer?
The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed $400,000 supplemental levy is a tax of $8.57 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. The District has an existing annual levy of $594,000 that currently costs $12.85 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year, $1.07 per month. Therefore, if the proposed levy is approved, the tax per $100,000 of taxable assessed value is expected to increase by $8.57 to a total cost of $21.42 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year, $1.79 per month.

How does VTL work?
VTL operates with strict fiscal discipline, maintaining balanced operating budgets even in the face of unprecedented economic challenges. As a public library, approximately 60% of our annual operating budget comes from funding collected through a taxing district based on the assessed property value in Teton County.

History of the library taxing district and levy
Teton Valley has a long history of supporting our community library! A library district is an independent taxing district, set up per state code, that provides library services for the people living within its boundaries. Valley of the Tetons Library District was created in 1966 by an overwhelming 76% of voters. In 2014, voters approved a Supplemental Levy to expand library services beyond Victor and in 2015 it was made permanent. VTL has not requested a Supplemental Levy increase in almost a decade.

How many staff does VTL have?
VTL has an amazing team of 15 full time, part time, and substitute staff (10 FTE’s), all living right here in Teton Valley.

If approved, will you use the levy to build a new branch?
No, funds received through the supplemental levy are restricted to annual operating costs. The levy will be used for the maintenance and operation of the District and include personnel costs and costs of expanding services and resources to the community. Levy funds cannot be used to purchase land, new construction, or large capital expenditures.