Type: Deliberation
Department: COMM - 911
Directors' Update: July 3, 2024
Business Meeting: July 9, 2024
Summary:Submitting a request to authorize the addition of a Sales and Use tax pursuant to Chapter 82.14.420 RCW to the November 2024 ballot to fund the operations of the Lewis County 911 emergency communications systems and facilities
Publications:
Cover Letter To:
Additional Copies To:
SUBMIT AN AUTHORIZING PROPOSITION TO THE VOTERS OF LEWIS COUNTY TO FIX AND IMPOSE A SALES AND USE TAX OF TWO-TENTHS OF 1 PERCENT PURSUANT TO RCW 82.14.420 TO BE USED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATIONS OF 911 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND FACILITIES
WHEREAS, the Revised Code of Washington 82.14.420 authorizes county legislative authorities to submit a proposition to county voters to fix and impose a sales and use tax of up to two-tenths of 1 (one) percent to provide funds associated with the maintenance and operations of emergency communications systems and facilities; and
WHEREAS, the long-term financial support of 911 communications systems is critical for the health and safety of county citizens, tourists and visitors; and
WHEREAS, Lewis County 911 Communications is the 24-hour primary public safety answering point of 911 calls and provides dispatch services to the all police, fire, EMS and other related entities in Lewis County, who are all members of an Interlocal agreement with Lewis County and each have an appointed representative on the Combined User Committee; and
WHEREAS, the appointed representatives of the Combined User Committee have met and determined that a crucial need exists to fund critical infrastructure and operations of the emergency communications center in order to provide vital public safety service to the public; and
WHEREAS, the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) deems it to be in the best interest of the County and its constituents to submit such a proposition to the County voters.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED (1) There shall be submitted to the voters of Lewis County, Washington, at the next General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, a ballot proposition which, if approved by the voters, will fix and impose a sales and use tax in accordance with the terms of the Chapter 82.14.420 RCW at the rate of two-tenths of one percent of the selling price in the case of a sales tax, or the value of the article used, in the case of a use tax, which tax shall be in addition to any other taxes authorized by law and which shall be collected from those persons who are taxable by the state under Chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW upon the occurrence of any taxable event within Lewis County, to be used solely for the purpose of providing funds for the costs associated with financing, design, acquisition, construction, equipping, operating, maintaining, remodeling, repairing, re-equipping and improvements of the Lewis County 911 public safety communications systems and facilities.
(2) The Lewis County Auditor is hereby directed that the following proposition shall be placed before the voters on the November General Election Ballot:
Proposition No.____
Lewis County, WA
Two-tenths of One Percent Sales and Use Tax for
Emergency 911 Communications Systems and Facilities
The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution No. _____ concerning a proposition to increase the sales and use tax. The proposition would increase the sales and use tax within Lewis County by two-tenths of one percent for the purpose of providing funds for the costs associated with financing, design, acquisition, construction, equipping, operating, maintaining, remodeling, repairing, re-equipping and improvements of emergency communications systems and facilities.
Should this proposition be approved?
Yes ( )
No ( )
.
DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 9th day of July, 2024.