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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.
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.
