Okanogan County voters will be asked on the Nov. 5 general election ballot to approve a tax meant to upgrade emergency communication systems and facilities.
The Okanogan County Sheriff's Office explains the need for the tax by detailing the current state of the system used by fire, emergency management services, and police first responders in Okanogan County.
Existing radio repeater equipment is based on 40-year-old technology at the end of its life, and there are no replacement parts for repairs, OCSO says in a press release. The radio system is crowded due to an increase in the volume of events now occurring, and radio system failures due to old equipment means increased response times, and increased risk to citizens of property damage and personal injury, plus greater risk of injury to first responders, the sheriff's office says.