Resolution 7295 - Laserfiche WebLink

OP ,00444/1"7" a 7295 RESOLUTION NO. A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE EVERETT CITY COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY PROPOSITION NO. 1 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND FACILITIES SALES AND USE TAX WHEREAS, the City of Everett serves more than 110,000 people by providing life-saving public safety services to our local community; and WHEREAS, in order to be able to serve the public with this outstanding, life-saving service, our city's law enforcement officers depend on having reliable and instant 911 communications in order to be able to quickly respond to the scene of an emergency; and WHEREAS, the Snohomish County Emergency Radio System (SERS), despite its best efforts, has this year experienced a system failure and repeat breakdowns of its existing and outdated radio equipment. The countywide, two-decade old, analogue radio system reaches its end-of-life in 2020; and WHEREAS, emergency 911 radio service has become increasingly problematic and unreliable for conducting our City's essential 911 first response communications; and WHEREAS, 16 other counties in our state have already taken action to fund updating their local 911 emergency communications equipment utilizing the only specific state authorized funding source specifically designated by law (RCW 82.14.420) to meet this emergency communications equipment funding needs; and WHEREAS, as elected city officials, we have joined other local municipal officials and public safety leaders who have urged voters be provided with an opportunity this year to decide on whether to approve a proposed funding measure to fund replacement of current countywide emergency radios with a new digital system; and WHEREAS, we commend the members of the Snohomish County Council who on June 20 voted unanimously to pass Ordinance No 18-037 to authorize a countywide vote at the upcoming November 6 general election on this proposed local sales tax increase of one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) for this emergency communications purpose; and WHEREAS, greater efficiencies in 911 service are being achieved from recent consolidation of two countywide 911 local emergency dispatch centers into one, local unified emergency 911 communications agency to better meet the communication needs of local public safety agencies; and WHEREAS, this proposed small and dedicated county sales tax increase is intended only to fund local emergency 911 communications equipment and infrastructure; and