County Awaits Vote on 911 Fee

Deschutes County (Ore.) 911 director Becky McDonald has prepared two budgets for the coming fiscal year, based on how voters react to a 23-cent per $1,000 assessed valuation tax in May. Until then, hiring for two positions is on hold, technology upgrades have been postponed, and other spending plans are uncertain. The levy would be in addition to the 16-cent tax that’s already being charged, and which by law can’t be increased. The district also receives 43 cents from a 75-cent 911 surcharge on phone lines. The district is now using reserve funds to operate, but that will last only 18 months if the levy doesn’t pass, based on necessary spending of $4.4 million a year. The district would like to move into a new building, and the sheriff’s radio system is nearing end-of-life. Read more about the budget here.