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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 1858 - Support for King County Proposition #1-Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN)City of Tukwila Washington Resolution NO. 1858 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR KING COUNTY PROPOSITION NO. 1, REGULAR PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR EMERGENCY PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO NETWORK REPLACEMENT PROJECT. WHEREAS, the safety of both emergency responders and those in need of emergency services is dependent upon a reliable communications network for emergency dispatch and incident scene communications; and WHEREAS, the current King County emergency radio communications system supporting 16,000 emergency responders county -wide is nearly 20 years old; and WHEREAS, the current network was originally designed to cover a smaller geographic area and population base; and WHEREAS, the vendor supporting the current network will discontinue provision of service and parts at the end of 2018, and WHEREAS, the current network is subject to increased risk of component failures, service outages, and dead spots in coverage, leading to critical response delays; and WHEREAS, the current network is co -owned by the City of Seattle, the Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA), the Valley Communications Center (ValleyCom), and King County; and WHEREAS, these entities are undertaking efforts to plan the replacement of the current network with new components and technology to be known as the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN); and WHEREAS, to address the need for funding a reliable public safety radio network, the King County Council passed Ordinance 17993 to place on the ballot for the April 28, 2015 Special Election a proposition to lift the lid of the existing property tax levy to generate the estimated $273 million needed to replace the current network; and W: \Word Processing \Resolutions \Support for PSERN levy 3 -31 -15 LH:bjs Page 1 of 2 WHEREAS, if approved, funding for the capital, financing, and other costs associated with the PSERN project would come from a levy increase of 7 cents per $1,000.00 of assessed property value over a nine -year period; and WHEREAS, the effective delivery of emergency services is an essential function of the public safety responsibilities of local and regional government, and the City Council recognizes the significant need for replacement of the King County emergency public safety radio network; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: The Tukwila City Council, by majority vote, hereby expresses support for King County Proposition No. 1, Regular Property Tax Levy for Emergency Public Safety Radio Network Replacement Project, placed on the ballot for the April 28, 2015 Special Election, which proposes a nine -year $0.07 per thousand dollars of assessed value county -wide levy, and urges all eligible Tukwila voters to vote to approve the levy. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this CV4- day of di n L.. , 2015. ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flah rty, MMC, City Cler chel(B. Turpih, CityfAttorney W: \Word Processing \Resolutions \Support for PSERN levy 3 -31 -15 LH:bjs Ile f, Council President Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: _ /�E ' J? Page 2 of 2