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February 26, 2003 COMMISSIONERS TO PLACE PROPOSITION #1 FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND FACILITIES ON APRIL MAIL-IN BALLOT SKAGIT COUNTY – The Skagit County Commissioners voted unanimously, on Monday, February 24, to place Proposition #1 for Emergency Communications Systems and Facilities on the ballot. The ballots will be mailed to all registered voters in Skagit County on April 2 and must be postmarked by April 22. Voters can also bring their ballots to the Skagit County Administrative Building before or on election day, according to Skagit County Elections Supervisor Erika Kubischta. If the ballot issue passes, an additional 1/10 of one percent sales tax would be assessed in Skagit County to fund 911 services. The tax increase would generate approximately $1.8 million per year. The Washington State Legislature passed a bill allowing for a local voter option for sales tax revenue to support operation and maintenance of 911 communications. “We are in complete agreement with this legislative effort, and support this proposition as an important public safety matter,” said Commissioner Don Munks. “The bill was presented to the legislators as a critical need to reduce the direct impact on virtually every local jurisdiction, both senior and junior taxing districts for the essential service of providing emergency communications,” said Skagit County 911 Director Rick Smith. The ballot issue requires a simple majority for passage. “If the voters say yes, Skagit 911 will have a revenue source to stabilize the budgetary process and bring cost parity to all user agencies,” said Smith.
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