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