DESCHUTES COUNTY 911

FACTS AND INFORMATION

Calls for Service   POPULATION:  Deschutes County is expected to increase from 130,500 residents in 2003 to more than 160,810 in 2007*.         CURRENT CALLS:  Today 911 operators average over 745 non-emergency calls and 193 emergency calls per day.  These 938 total daily calls equal a call to 911 every minute and one-half, 24 hours a day.   PROJECTED CALLS:  By 2012 total calls are projected to increase to approximately 979 calls per day.

May 20, 2008 Election Information   The four-year levy rate of $.09 per $1,000 of assessed value expired on June 30, 2007. New levy rate would increase operational capacity to accommodate the increased demand for services due to county population growth. In addition to answering non-emergency calls for service and dispatching emergency services, 911 personnel are trained and certified to give lifesaving emergency medical instructions to callers until emergency personnel arrive. Deschutes 911 Service District covers an area in excess of 3,000 square miles.

The 911 emergency number was established in 1965 to serve as a uniform number for anyone in an emergency that needed police, fire or medical services. In 1981, Oregon established 911 as the official emergency number.  In 1985, Deschutes County opened its 911 Operations Center.

The 911 Center is the only emergency communication center for 19 public safety agencies in Deschutes County including police, fire and medical emergency response personnel.

Deschutes County 911 is funded partially through a statewide emergency communication tax.  This tax is set at $.75 per phone line, including cell phones.  The state returns $0.435 to counties and cities for operations at 50 PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points), such as Deschutes County 911.

The balance of Deschutes County 911 operating budget comes primarily from property taxes.  There are two categories of property taxes which account for most of the annual 911 operating revenue:  a "permanent tax rate" of $.16 per $1,000 of assessed value and voter approved local option levy.  Currently, Deschutes County 911 is operating without a local option levy.

PROPOSED MAY 2008 LEVY INFORMATION

Voters will be asked to vote on a proposed five-year local option levy that would provide funding for the Deschutes County 911 Service District.

The proposed five-year levy rate of $.23 per $1,000 of assessed value would replace the expired levy.  On a home with an assessed value of $170,000, the homeowner would pay $39.10 annually for 911 services.

*Portland State University Population Center, July 1, 2007.

** Nancy Blankenship, Deschutes County Clerk