Tigard staff brief council on new Washington County library intergovernmental agreement; 5% levy guarantee limited to levy funds

City staff told Tigard council during a study session that they have been negotiating new intergovernmental agreements with Washington County to reflect a recently approved regional library funding model and to clarify governance roles.

The presentations framed the IGA work as the second phase of a multi-year process that followed the funding decision approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Staff said the funding model component has been set and the current work focuses on roles for an executive board and a policy group that includes library directors. They also said the draft documents will be finalized and presented to council as a consent agenda item on June 20.

Staff flagged one detail councilors asked about: the promised 5% increase in library allocation applies only to the levy portion of funding, not to the general-fund portion. "The 5% increase to the library's allocation is only guaranteed on the levy portion of the funding and not on the general funding portion," staff said, and cautioned that projected general-fund support could be lower in out years depending on county budgets.

Councilors asked about accountability, the executive board’s advisory role versus formal authority, and whether the new agreements will allow the library partners adequate input before county decisions. Staff said the new IGA language would route certain funding recommendations through the executive board before they go to the county commission, but the county retains final appropriation authority. Staff also noted they have reached "reasonable consensus" on many governance points but will bring final language back for council review.

Why it matters: The IGAs set how the city participates in a regional library cooperative and how local dollars are allocated and governed. The limitation of the 5% guarantee to levy proceeds, rather than across all funding streams, was highlighted as a potential future advocacy point for councilors who want broader protection of library funding.

Next steps: The staff recommendation is to present the finalized IGA as a consent item on June 20; staff said they will answer any remaining council questions and perform follow-up research if needed.