Eight reasons why the Chamber is endorsing RiverCom's sales tax measure

This August, RiverCom’s proposed renewal of a one-tenth-of-one-percent tax to fund emergency communications will appear on ballots in Chelan and Douglas counties.
The Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, for the first time in recent memory, has decided to endorse something or someone on a ballot, supporting RiverCom’s efforts to pass this measure.
The following is a list of eight reasons why we are supporting RiverCom’s measure.
Rejecting it would affect all law enforcement, EMS and firefighting agencies in Chelan and Douglas counties, both private and public…
…Increasing the cost of dispatching 911 calls and creating a $3 million budget shortfall in the RiverCom budget.
Varied pieces of technology equipment are at least 10 years old, with the 911 consoles already 15 years old. Several of these technology pieces have to function 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Equipment to protect firefighters’ hearing is now required, as well.
RiverCom is receiving less and less money from the state and it sits one federal regulation away from having to switch all its equipment to digital.
Current tax sunsets this year. A Yes vote this August would make THE SAME measure permanent, at a rate of 10 cents for every $100 of selling price/value. This is not a new tax.
One thing that attracts people and businesses to an area is a solid public safety system. This measure ensures that RiverCom will continue offering that. And 9-1-1 texting is coming.
Majority of voters approved this measure in 2009: 65 percent in Chelan County and 62 percent in Douglas County. 50 percent-plus-one-vote needed to pass.

If you want to learn more about this measure, visit www.rivercom911.org., and click on “Emergency Communication Systems and Facilities Tax Information Sheet.”