Kira Erickson reports from the City of Langley for the South Whidbey Record. Read the whole story.
The city of Langley is considering selling one of its properties.
The Langley Library became a branch of Sno-Isle Libraries in 1962, according to previous South Whidbey Record stories. An annexation agreement signed in 2010 outlines the city’s responsibilities to maintain the building, which is leased by the library system free of charge.
The 5,000-square-foot building, parts of which date back to 1923, reopened in March after undergoing a $4.5 million renovation. Given its precarious financial situation, city officials are looking into transferring ownership of the library to the public library system, as the city does not have sufficient funding to continue the upkeep.
They Said It
In documents received through a public records request, Langley Mayor Kennedy Horstman informed members of the city council in September that the estimated annual maintenance of $36,000 to $40,000 on the building is more than the city can afford.
Horstman noted in a memo about the property transfer that state law requires municipal real estate be sold at fair market value, but makes allowances for property sales between public agencies. Sno-Isle Libraries has suggested an offer well below the assessed value of the property because it does not want to set a precedent for other municipalities.
“If we could afford to keep it going the way it is, we could,” Horstman said this week in an interview. “But I think they’re just in a better financial situation. It makes sense that they would own it.”
On the Ballot in November 2025
| CITY OF LANGLEY |
|---|
| Councilmember, Position 1 Thomas E. Gill Incumbent Harolynne Bobis did not file to retain her seat |
| Councilmember, Position 2 Dominique Emerson Incumbent Rhonda Salerno did not file to retain her seat |
| Councilmember, Position 5 Savannah Erickson Incumbent Gail Fleming did not file to retain her seat |
