City of Spokane Leaders: 911 Excise Tax Revenue Should Be Properly Apportioned
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~ Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, Fire Chief Julie O'Berg, and City Administrator Alexander Scott testified in support of House Bill 1258 on Thursday. The bill, if passed, would have a significant impact on the safety and wellbeing of residents in the City of Spokane.

HB 1258 aims to ensure that the 911 excise tax revenue, which is generated by taxpayers throughout Spokane County, is fairly distributed based on emergency call volume. This comes as the Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) Board has voted to remove the Spokane Fire Department from its system and has set a deadline of January 1, 2026 for the city to establish its own primary public safety answering point (PSAP).

Mayor Brown expressed her disappointment with SREC's decision, stating that for years, City of Spokane taxpayers have contributed their hard-earned money to a regional public safety system with the expectation of reliable emergency response and protection. However, despite accumulating $30 million in financial reserves, SREC is now turning its back on the city and attempting to walk away with the funds that residents have invested.

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She further explained that HB 1258 simply ensures that the 911 excise tax revenue generated by City of Spokane residents is allocated to the agency responsible for providing critical services they rely on. The city has previously managed its own 911 dispatch center and is confident it can do so again if necessary.

Fire Chief O'Berg also spoke in support of HB 1258, emphasizing that it would be an investment in both the safety and wellbeing of firefighters and citizens alike. She stated that it would provide them with necessary tools and resources to perform their jobs at the highest level and continue responding quickly, efficiently, and effectively to all types of emergencies.

The mayor also shared a video explaining how HB 1258 could impact City of Spokane residents. The bill has gained support from other local leaders as well.

In conclusion, Mayor Brown, Fire Chief O'Berg, and City Administrator Scott are all advocating for the passage of HB 1258, which they believe will ensure fair distribution of 911 excise tax revenue and ultimately benefit the safety and wellbeing of City of Spokane residents.

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