Grant County Commissioners unanimously opt to put measure on ballot

EPHRATA — Grant County voters will now be asked to support a sales tax increase that will generate funding for improvements to the 911 dispatch and radio communications system used by emergency responders such as police and fire agencies.

The Multi-Agency Communications Center is civilian staffed and dispatches emergency calls for fire, law enforcement and medical service providers throughout Grant County.

On Tuesday, the Grant County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution that will place a proposal for a one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax increase on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, according to Grant County Commissioner Deborah Moore.

"The MACC board demonstrated that they felt the tax increase to upgrade the E-911 system would enhance public safety for all citizens in the county, as well as those who visit the area who may need emergency services," Moore said Tuesday.

The commissioners will now send Grant County Auditor Bill Varney a resolution requesting that he prepare a sales tax measure to increase funding for the MACC system upgrades, Moore said.

Varney said he must receive the resolution from the commissioners by Sept. 23 to prepare a proposition in time for the November ballot.

Once he does, he will send the commissioners request on to the Grant County Prosecuting Attorney John Knodell to have a ballot title drafted containing the exact language to be used on the ballot.

"There's a point in time when you cut your loses and go with a new system and that's where we're at," said Roger Hansen, chief of Grant County Fire District No. 5.

"It only makes sense to add the tax," said John Turley, Grant County Sheriff's Office chief criminal deputy.

Turley added that every year during a six-month period that includes summer, the county swells from nearly 80,000 people to 200,000 as they come to the county for fishing, to ride off-road vehicles, attend concerts, visit Grand Coulee Dam and other activities that put a strain on resources.

The one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax is expected to generate up to $840,000 annually, which will go directly to the new 911 system.

"Last Saturday and Sunday the system received 200 calls," he said. "The system is totally dependent on users fees from fire and police, grants and 911 subsidies from the state to pay for the service right now."