HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter of Support for 911 Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District Post Office Box 6005, Bend Oregon 97708 February 2015 LETTER OF SUPPORT: FORMATION OF A NEW COUNTYWIDE 9-1-1 SERVICE DISTRICT; ESTABLISHING A PERMANENT TAX RATE AND CONVERSION TO A REGIONAL RADIO SYSTEM The entities and elected officials identified below recognize the urgent need to form a new countywide 9-1-1 Service District within Deschutes County, to include the establishment of a permanent tax rate to provide adequate and stable funding for 9-1-1 call receiving; emergency dispatch services and the conversion of the area’s disparate and nearing end-of-life radio systems to a centrally managed Regional Radio System. The new system will facilitate interoperable communications between the region’s law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, schools, hospitals and other general government agencies, and will enhance the safety of all persons and institutions within Deschutes County. The Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District is prepared to fund comprehensive scoping of an emergency communications system, including value engineering, preparation of financing alternatives, investigation of grant funding and development of a governance structure. It is estimated this work will cost $200,000. Subject to official Resolutions approving the formation and permanent tax rate as required by ORS Chapter 451, in recognition of the critical importance of these items as well as the financial commitment being made by the 9-1-1 Service District to develop a ballot initiative for submission to the voters of Deschutes County, the entities and officials signing this letter resolve to actively support the formation of a new countywide 9-1-1 Service District. Said support may include assistance with the development of a communications plan which provides information and recommended materials for an effective campaign, written advocacy, testimony at public forums and interaction with the media. For the Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District: ______________________ ________________________ _________________________ Anthony DeBone, Chair Alan Unger, Vice Chair Tammy Baney, Commissioner Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District Board Members and Deschutes County Board of Commissioners SUPPORTING ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ENTITIES: ____________________________________ Larry Blanton, Sheriff Deschutes County ____________________________________ Jim Clinton, Mayor City of Bend ____________________________________ George Endicott, Mayor City of Redmond ____________________________________ Ken Mulenex, Mayor City of La Pine ____________________________________ Chris Frye, Mayor City of Sisters ____________________________________ George Roshak, Board President Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #2 ____________________________________ Carroll Penhollow, Board President Redmond Fire and Rescue ____________________________________ Bob Kathman, Board President Alfalfa Fire District ____________________________________ Jerry Johnson, Board President Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District ____________________________________ Doug Cox, Board President La Pine Rural Fire Protection District ____________________________________ Chuck Newport, Board President Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District ____________________________________ Debra Baker, Chair Sunriver Service District Managing Board ____________________________________ Curtiss Abbott, Board Chair Black Butte Ranch Police Service District ____________________________________ Rodger Gabrielson, Board Chair Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire District ____________________________________ Bob Bengston, Board President Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue