in support of Walla Walla County Prop 1 & Emergency Services

To the editor,

Walla Walla County voters have the opportunity on the August 5 primary election ballot to approve Proposition No. 1. If approved, the proposition will authorize the county to collect two-tenths of one percent (0.2%) sales tax, e.g., 1 cent on a $5 purchase, 20 cents on a $100 purchase. This small additional tax would be used solely for the use of our emergency communications system and facilities.

Stay with us, folks, and you will see why we believe approving this proposition is not only equitable but necessary at this time.

WESCOM (Walla Walla Emergency Services Communications) is the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center for Walla Walla County, serving over 63,000 residents and handling more than 83,000 calls for service annually. Dispatchers are the first line of defense in any emergency (fire, medical, police). It is critical to have the proper staffing, up-to-date technology, and a secure facility to keep our citizens, visitors, property, and infrastructure safe and operational.

The existing funding sources, including system user fees, excise taxes, and grants, are not sufficient to support system upgrades and long-term sustainability. User fees, the primary funding source, are flawed as they take money from already tightly budgeted law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical service agencies.

We believe the proposed tax increase is equitable and would apply to every purchase in Walla Walla County by residents, visitors, and online purchases. It would help to significantly reduce or eliminate user agency fees.

Walla Walla County’s communication facility, WESCOM, was relocated in 1997 after the county and cities of Walla Walla and College Place consolidated dispatch services to a central location for better utilization of public funds. It was intended to be a temporary location until a more secure and permanent location could be located or built. The current facility sits along the Hite Fault and next to Mill Creek, making it vulnerable to natural disasters as well as other hazards and potential catastrophes.

Radio and dispatch consoles in the communications room were installed when WESCOM first moved into the facility in 1997 and have far exceeded their intended longevity.  

Although calls for service have increased to 83,000 since 1997, WESCOM staffing has not changed since 1998. There are 12 dispatchers with three supervisors covering 24-hour periods. Considering employees have required out-of-town training and are entitled to sick leave, family leave, paid leave, etc., staffing does not meet the expected level or standard of service.

As a community, we know technology has improved and changed exponentially, and workloads have increased across most industries since 1998. Yet, there are the same number of dispatchers and antiquated equipment at our WESCOM facility.

This funding source would provide increased staffing levels to meet community needs, provide up-to-date radio and dispatch equipment, and eventually fund a move to a secure facility.  

A YES vote on Proposition No. 1 will ensure the emergency communications system in Walla Walla County is operating at the highest level, providing prompt response times to emergencies within our county ~ a standard the citizens of Walla Walla County expect and deserve.

Please consider voting YES on Proposition No. 1.

For additional information and to learn more about Proposition No. 1, please visit: http://www.wallawallawa.gov/government/police/dispatch.

Sincerely,

Pam Ray, former Walla Walla County commissioner

Chuck Fulton, gormer Chief of Police of the City of Walla Walla

Ray and Fulton were part of the 1997 relocation to the current location of WESCOM.