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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />AGENDA STAFF REPORT <br /> <br />AGENDA DATE: April 2, 2024 <br /> <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution in Support of the Kittitas <br />County Board of Commissioners Ballot Measure <br />Proposition No. 1 KITTCOM Emergency Communications <br />and Facilities Sales and Use Tax. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: KITTCOM is a consolidated public safety communications <br />center that was formed in 1998 through an Interlocal <br />Agreement between Kittitas County and the incorporated <br />cities, fire districts, and hospital districts in the County. <br />KITTCOM answers and coordinates 911 services for all 17 <br />public safety agencies in Kittitas County, including fire, <br />emergency medical service (EMS), police, and search-and- <br />rescue. <br /> <br />KITTCOM serves nearly 50,000 residents plus thousands <br />more who come to recreate or attend festivals. Seasonal and <br />weekend visitors can triple and, at times, quadruple the <br />population in some areas. Approximately 33,000 vehicles <br />pass through Kittitas County every day on Interstate 90 for <br />food, fuel, and lodging. <br /> <br />More people living in and visiting the County are straining <br />the outdated and aging 911 system. Emergency radio <br />system and communications infrastructure are outdated and <br />unreliable in many parts of the County. This poses <br />significant challenges for first responders and search teams <br />to coordinate and communicate during emergencies. "Radio <br />holes" or "dead zones" in many locations in the county <br />impact response times, patient care, wildland fire <br />suppression, and rescue operations. This public safety issue <br />affects the entire county and a sustainable funding source is <br />needed to pay for critical improvements. <br /> <br />INTERACTION: The Prosecutor’s office has reviewed and approved the <br />proposed Resolution. PA SR#10544 <br /> <br />ANALYSIS: The Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution <br />No. 2023-224 on December 19, 2023. The Resolution <br />authorized a ballot measure for the April 23, 2024, special