| DISTRICT FUNDING |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Klamath 9-1-1 Communications District is an independent public service entity, not associated with
or funded by Klamath County, City of Klamath Falls, or any fire district or other emergency services
entity. Since the 9-1-1 District operates as a special and independent district, the 9-1-1 District also
must rely on independent funding methods.
The District’s minimum staffing is two call-taker/dispatchers on duty at any one time. In today’s
communication climate with cell phones, wireless internet, text messaging, VoIP communication;
the need for qualified technically trained call takers continues to rise; but to continue our operation
within our budget we have not be able to increase our staffing levels to keep up with the technology
or the demand caused by the increasing call volume.
Klamath 9-1-1 Communications District is funded primarily in two ways: First, on your phone bill you
will notice a $0.75 cents 9-1-1 excise tax. It is a state 9-1-1 excise tax placed on each phone line to
assist in off-setting the cost of maintaining the uniquely specific telephone connections required to
receive your 9-1-1 call informing your dispatch center of your location in an emergency. The money
that is recovered by the State of Oregon from this tax is shared between all forty-nine 9-1-1 primary
answering points throughout the state. Klamath 9-1-1 receives 1% of the funds distributed from that
source. Our second revenue source is a permanent tax rate of 0.1541% per $1000 of assessed
property value in Klamath County. This permanent tax rate was established when the 9-1-1 system
was new and in the technological infancy of growth. The 9-1-1 phone system and emergency
dispatch system has grown significantly in the past twenty-five years, but the tax rate has remained
static.
As your 9-1-1 District and Emergency Dispatch Center, we encourage you to become educated
about public safety, how it is funded and governed so that you can be an informed citizen. If we can
be of assistance to you in answering any questions, please contact our administrative offices.
or funded by Klamath County, City of Klamath Falls, or any fire district or other emergency services
entity. Since the 9-1-1 District operates as a special and independent district, the 9-1-1 District also
must rely on independent funding methods.
The District’s minimum staffing is two call-taker/dispatchers on duty at any one time. In today’s
communication climate with cell phones, wireless internet, text messaging, VoIP communication;
the need for qualified technically trained call takers continues to rise; but to continue our operation
within our budget we have not be able to increase our staffing levels to keep up with the technology
or the demand caused by the increasing call volume.
Klamath 9-1-1 Communications District is funded primarily in two ways: First, on your phone bill you
will notice a $0.75 cents 9-1-1 excise tax. It is a state 9-1-1 excise tax placed on each phone line to
assist in off-setting the cost of maintaining the uniquely specific telephone connections required to
receive your 9-1-1 call informing your dispatch center of your location in an emergency. The money
that is recovered by the State of Oregon from this tax is shared between all forty-nine 9-1-1 primary
answering points throughout the state. Klamath 9-1-1 receives 1% of the funds distributed from that
source. Our second revenue source is a permanent tax rate of 0.1541% per $1000 of assessed
property value in Klamath County. This permanent tax rate was established when the 9-1-1 system
was new and in the technological infancy of growth. The 9-1-1 phone system and emergency
dispatch system has grown significantly in the past twenty-five years, but the tax rate has remained
static.
As your 9-1-1 District and Emergency Dispatch Center, we encourage you to become educated
about public safety, how it is funded and governed so that you can be an informed citizen. If we can
be of assistance to you in answering any questions, please contact our administrative offices.