I would encourage everyone to vote yes on the special sales and use tax to fund our 911 system that will be on the ballot in November.
It would be a mere two dimes on a $100 purchase, but it would fund our 911 system into the future.
Currently, our system is funded by individual fire and law enforcement departments, which get their funding from our property taxes.
This means property owners bear the burden of funding a vital service for our entire community in addition to visitors to our county who might need emergency services.
The lack of sufficient funding has allowed our 911 communication center to fall behind with our technology. Old equipment that can no longer be repaired because parts are obsolete, a lack of repeaters that keeps first responders from being able to communicate, and insufficient funds for personnel and training have been major problems for years.
We need to do better, and the sales and use tax will be a dedicated fund for the equipment, maintenance and personnel we need to keep our growing community safe.
Vote yes on the 911 sales tax. The solution to our communication problems has been long overdue.
Ruth Peterson
Curtis
