Hafner led library bond campaign

The group campaigning for the Spokane County Library District’s bond – which would allow the district to build a 30,000-square-foot library across Sprague Avenue from the site of the new Spokane Valley City Hall – was largely organized by Spokane Valley City Councilman Chuch Hafner.

Hafner said the library district approached him and he called 30 to 35 people he knew from his time as a high school principal in Spokane Valley.

“They all said yes,” Hafner said.

The Spokane Valley City Council has a policy of not endorsing or opposing initiatives or propositions, but Hafner said he’s involved in the library bond campaign as an individual, not as a City Council member. City Manager Mike Jackson says Hafner is not violating city rules.

“People may recognize my name, but this is something we need to get done,” Hafner said.

The district is seeking $22 million for four projects in Spokane Valley and Millwood. That breaks down to 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or about $22 for a $200,000 home, every year for 20 years.

Along with the new branch on Sprague, the bond would pay for a 10,000-square-foot library on Conklin Road and a 6,000-square-foot expansion of public space at the Argonne Library. The current Spokane Valley Library on Main Avenue would house administrative offices, a technology center and conference room, as well as a small collection of books.

The expanded operation will need minor staffing adjustments, said Jane Baker, communications and development officer for the Spokane County Library District.

She added the library district has room in its operating budget to maintain the day-to-day expenses for new buildings.

“The new buildings will be constructed with energy-efficiency and sustainability in mind,” Baker wrote in an email, “and we will not need to seek additional funding for operations.”

The library district already owns the property on Sprague, which it purchased from the city with a contingency that the land can go back to the Valley – for the purchase price – if the bond doesn’t pass.

Hafner said it’s important that the bond passes this time because the special taxing district approved by voters last year expires at the end of this year.

“We developed that taxing district to make sure people in the Valley – not people who live somewhere else in the county – pay for the new library,” Hafner said.

Ballots were mailed last week. They must be postmarked by Aug. 4.