" I vote for 911. I believe it is very important. I do not believe that kcc is important- OIT is more important & I will vote against KCC. The fire department is also important. I will vote for 911 & the fire department- NO to KCC. "

" You are correct, This 911 center does not have to be in operation, but there will be 911 calls answered. The citizens will not be without 911 service which It appears in these postings has been the message given.

I personally don't care if my 911 call is answered here or in Salem, it will be answered and directed to the correct agency and as far as the other agencies and their training; this center wouldn't close before July 1...they have an approved operating budget for this year and the money from this levy would not be accessible until Tax Receipts are received next fiscal year. That gives the other agencies the time they need to figure out the logistics should this center feel that it must cease operation.

So to those with the gloom story of closure and discontinuation of service...there would be a solution, would it be the solution that everyone wants? No. Is this levy the solution that everyone wants? No

In public safety you don't always get the dollars that you want for the amount of staffing that would be ideal. You have to work with the amount of staffing that the area can realistically support. You don't always get the building or the building in the location that you want, you get what you can afford or work with what you have. As vital as this service and all public services are, you work with what you have.

Make decisions that are beyond reproach, stand behind those decisions and don't make excuses, you work with what you have.

I have noticed too many discrepancies and observed out right deceit with this agencies tactics during the previous elections to now stand behind this one. I'm still voting no. "

" Sounds good to me, it's not like the dispatchers are running out of thier moldy office to rescue me anyway, it's the police fire and medical that they dispatch that will be helping me. I don't care if I dial 911 and someone from Taiwan answers it. The point being, the call WILL BE ANSWERED, and police fire and medical WILL BE DISPATCHED.

Ship the service off to another agency and let them dispatch. OSP does it and it works just fine for them. At least our money won't be going to the director and the assitant directors wages. "

" Sorry Fabulous aka/Check First aka/Sorry But, you are all wrong. When we dial 911, someone WILL answer the phone, the way they choose to dispatch will be up to them. Please quit embarrasing yourself.

A little education here. Mandate is described as: an authoritative order or command. The state of Oregon has Commanded and has issued an authoritative order that 911 be a mandated service.

The 9-1-1 Program was established by the 1981 Oregon Legislature (ORS 401.706 – 401.790).

If they decide they don't want to dispatch based on this levy failing, they will have to answer to the State Authorities that pay for this service (telephone excise tax), and to the voters of Klamath County who already pay taxes via a "taxing district".

If you bother to read down a little further, you will see where an actual employee of 911 states that they will still exist if this fails.

Go back to the drawing board boys, and try it again. "

" I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but no the Klamath 911 center doesn't have to be here for you as you state. The law states that A 911 center needs to take your calls not specifically the one here. Check your facts before you throw insults at others! "

" Fabulous is right, 911 may be mandiated however that doesn't mean that the Klamath 911 Center has to exsist. It just means that someone has to take the calls. So I would suggest to get your facts correct before you start bagging on others. "

" We are not stupid, and we all know that 911 is mandated. Your comment was fun and entertaining to read, however I was embarrassed for you after reading it.

Although I don't agree with the director and her spending, I am certain she is not telling you that 911 will shut down, and we are all going to die if this doesn't pass, she and all the voters (except for one) know this agency is mandated and will be here for a very long time.

Nice attempt though "

" I think that some people have been mis-informed. While the government has laws, rules, and regulations that require them to provide the citizens of the USA with public safety in no way, shape or form is the Klamath 911 Communications District required to do so. Klamath 911 is a special district and a private entity that is contracted to provide these services to Klamath County. If they do not have the funding necessary they can and will close their doors. It is the responsibility of each fire, ambulance, and police station they dispatch for to have someone that dispatches their calls. If Klamath 911 was to close the doors then the safety of all Klamath County citizens would be in jeopardy while the fire, police, and ambulances were coordinating, training, and learning how to dispatch their own calls. This is a risk I am not willing to take. I have been to the 911 center myself, and have heard presentations by the director, I understand that they are in desperate need of this money. I encourage anyone who has any questions or concerns to either contact or visit the center yourself, see what is really going on and what they need. Unlike some of the recent and current levys on the ballot they are not trying to pad a rainy day fund, they are literally trying to survive each day. So before you make your judgements find out the truth for yourself. I have and I will be voting yes for 18-70 "

" Prioritizing:

#1: KCC is a Yes Vote. It is important to invest in the future of our young, in turn we are investing in the future of our community.

#2: KCFD is a No Vote. There has been absolutely no information out on this, I have no idea what I am voting for.

#3: 911 is a No Vote. This is a mandated service. No matter if we vote yes or no, this agency will still be here, and again, absolutely no information out on this. "

" This is in response to JTO's questions.

The gloom and doom of the 9-1-1 Center is still very much here. After the election in May during our exit poll, it became very clear to us that people were in support of their Center; however, the cost was an issue. We held many work sessions and found as many possible ways to get our request down to the bare minimum. Hopefully, the following will answer your questions.

1.In May we asked for $2,051,004 annually and now we are asking for $761,203 annually which is substantially less. We received a one-time payment which will allow us to purchase radio consoles for the dispatch center. In addition, we also received a one-time payment from OEM (Oregon Emergency Management) and we are using those funds to replace our generator. These two items cut the cost by almost $550,000. The additional decreases are due to cutting everything down to a bare minimum.
2. We have absolutely no intension of laying people off after 5 years. Our call volume continues to grow each year which is one of our biggest problems. We are trying to catch up for the last 15 years of lack of maintenance and lack of upgrades. Will we go out after the expiration of this levy, should it pass, yes we will. We have no intension of requesting more than the current levy. We currently lease the building that we reside in. Our new facility will be paid off at the end of the 5 years which will have an annual savings of $333,000.
3. Supervisor/Staff ratios: The 9-1-1 Center has 3 Lead Dispatchers to supervise 3 shifts for 24/7 coverage. That means that they are regular dispatchers with administration duties. So not only do they take your 9-1-1 calls but they handle complaints, pull information for citizen record requests, train new hires, etc. They are overseen by the Operations Manager who is additionally responsible for many administrative duties, who in turn in supervised by the Director who also performs and supervises ALL of the administrative functions of the Center who both utilize one assistant.
4. The Director has received raises during the three years that she has been here. Are they in excess of $30,000, no they are not. The misconception is that the budget documents that are published in the newspaper are the amounts that all of the line items receive. When in actuality, these amounts are not to exceed amounts. Both the Executive Director and Operations Manager were approved CPI (as with the rest of the staff both represented and non-represented) this year and neither one of them have exercised this increase.
5. Yes we have tried other avenues in hopes to receive money to build a building. Building grants are few and far between.
6. The following is the anticipated budget with the approval of the operating levy:
Staffing Requirements: $1,553,659
(which includes additional staff and full benefit package)
Operating Costs: $ 687,545
Equipment Reserve: $ 150,000
Gross to Operate: $2,281,204

Revenue:
9-1-1 Excise Tax: $ 376,000
Accessed Property Tax: $ 659,928
Working Capital: $ 410,609
Contract Services: $ 73,464

This leaves the shortfall of $761,203 which is the new amount that is being requested. No, both the Director and Operations Manager will not be seeing a raise based on the levy.

7. Yes the 9-1-1 Center will be here should the levy not pass. There will be extreme changes in the way the Center runs and handles calls that will affect the citizens and the users. What that means is that we will initiate user fees which will mean the users will either cut their services and/or go out for a levy of their own to cover their user fees which could equate into 30 different agencies requests. In addition, the Center would stop all services that are not mandated to be handled by a PSAP.
8. It may look like we are trying to disguise the building, but we aren’t. During the May election our main focus was on people and equipment. By law, the money that we would have received could not have been used to purchase a building. This didn’t mean that we wouldn’t get a new building. Had the levy passed, we would have been able to reallocate our current funding to purchase a building and the operating levy funds would have been used for just that, to operate on. We are in the same situation; however, the building is now just as important as the people and new equipment are.
9. Any raises that any of us receive are based completely on comparisons and job performance. We go to great lengths not to over pay or under pay any of our employees and yes that does include the Director. If anyone would like to see the comparisons that are used I would be happy to furnish those to you.

I am glad that you are willing to ask pointed questions and give us a chance to respond. Everyone is more than welcome to call anyone in administration and ask any questions. Our number is 884-4876 extension 1, 2 or 3. Please do not hit extension 4 as that is dispatch. Everyone is also welcome to come down for a tour and talk directly to anyone of us. "

" Why do I have a feeling that many of these anti-911 comments are the same person posting under different names? It really isn't worth getting in an argument --his/her mind is made up. And he/she doesn't mind employing any tactic possible -- including and not limited to name-calling. It's impossible to have a reasonable argument here. And NO. I don't work for 911, so give it a rest. "

" This is to SLH:

You don't have night meetings because you all are too tired? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't 911 a 24/7 operation, or was this a suprise to you after you were hired?

If you are one of the 8-5 people, are you truly needed at these meetings? Can't the assistant director grab a pen and take the minutes for you, or one of the board members, and save all of us tax payers the cost of your overtime?

See, I this is what people see. There are other options, and more practicle ones. If you are only having one meeting a month, doesn't it seem reasonable that the meetings should be held in the evening? If you are truly concerned about the operations of 911, 2 hours out of an average of 160 that month is not much for your family to sacrafice. Perhaps you could flex your time that day and come in late, saving us taxpayers that two hours overtime.

To us voters, it does appear you are trying to hide something with the meetings in the middle of the week, in the middle of the mornings, the worst possible time for any of us working people.

Your director needs to think outside of the box, this is another example of her putting herself first. These meetings are convient for her, so heck with the public that pay her wages. I think the board needs to find a new director, and the voters need to find a new board. "

" JTO,

You have some very good points and questions. I agree with you all the way. I am NOT in favor of the 911 levy as presented. The same goes for the Fire Dept. Don't get me wrong, I am always willing to put money up for our public entities and I did so for the police dept. But, I have to say, Chief Hunter (City PD) held public forums and for those who couldn't attend, his door was always open. He even had a public broadcast on PBS. He was not afraid of the public asking questions. The 911 director's request changes and that makes people suspicious. The fire dept hasn't even put out any information as to what they need the money for. If they are not willing to be honest and forthright and put some effort into their request then why should I vote yes? "

" Finally, someone that can answer without being rude. Since I have you, can you answer the following questions.

1: You should be able to understand what the public perceptions is on this. In May, the director was adamant that she needed 10,000,000.00 or the agency was going to be severely crippled. We voters said no. She has now reduced this 10 million down to just under 5 million.

The question being, if we voters would have fell for her doom and gloom in May, we would have been severely taxed for money not needed. Why should we now believe she cannot operated without the 5 million.

#2: What happens in 5 years when this levy expires. You have already hired all the new people, built your new building, and are now enjoying the new toys you purchased. Are we voters going to get another doom and gloom tax levy, and be told that there will be layoffs, and once again 911 will be lost?

#3: Why is there a 2 to 1 ratio in employees vs supervisors. You have 8 disptachers, and 5 supervisors. This seems excessive to us voters.

#4: If budget is a concern, why has the directors wages increased so dramatically over the last 3 years? It is my information that it may be in excess of 30,000.00

#5: Have you tried other measures to get a new building. Since 911 is mandated, I am sure there are options like grants, to build a new building.

#6: How much of this levy is going to wages? Is the director going to get yet another substantial raise if this is passed.

#7: If this does not pass, will 911 cease to exist?

#8: The director states that this money will not be used for a new building. If this passes, will you get a new building? And if yes, why disguise this as an operating levy?

This mismanagement of the funds does not come from what an auditor will find. It will come from the lack of priorities. This director and the board feel that higher wages for herself, supervisors, and her support staff.

Personally, if the director would of said at least once, "thank you for the offer of the raise, but since we are in this financial crisis, I would like to forgo my raise this time, as well as the raises for my assistant director" this would have showed me that she is sincerely concerned about this agency, and not herself.

Don't get me wrong, I think people are entitled to contractual raises, however this director is not under a union contract but in the last 3 years has recieved raises higher than some people make in an entire year.

Her greed has turned me off, and that is why I think there is some mismanagement of funds, and that this agency cannot be responsible for anymore funding until this director can learn some responsibility.

Tisk Tisk, take some edicate lessons from the person at 911 "

" I find it amazing that so many people can have such strong opinions without factual information! All I see here are excuses to vote "no" so you can save money. Milk has gone up a couple of bucks a gallon and yeah, I see the dairy farmer driving a brand new mercedes SLK! Give me a break! Costs have risen for everyone, public entities too! If you really want to get involved attend a board meeting or meet with someone at that agency that can share the facts! Or, don't, and keep blabbing away showing your ignorance here on this forum because that is your right to freedom of speech! "

" I must be crazy to put myself on your chopping block, but I work at the 9-1-1 Center. We do have night meetings on occassions. Our last night meeting was last month (August) at 6:00 pm at the Courthouse basement meeting room. I am not a salary employee and I do get overtime for night meetings. Our Board meetings are held normally at West Occupational Health on the third Wednesday of the month at 9:00 am. We don't hold them during the day so that citizens can't attend, we hold them during that time because most of us work 10 plus hours a day and are tired at the end of the day and want to go home to our families. Should you wish for us to have our October meeting during the evening so that you can attend please let me know and I will make the necessary arrangements.

If you believe that your money is being mismanaged I would encouge you to join the budget committee. We post an announcement in the Herald and News seeking people to join. You can also be elected to the Board of Directors. I believe we will have openings in May of 2009. Should you wish for me to confirm that information I will be more than happy to do so.

I would also like to invite you down to the 9-1-1 Center to go over any money issues that you may have. Our financial documents are audited every year and are submitted to the State of Oregon.

You may think that I am writing this to save my job which is fine. However, I am not. I know and live our current situation every single day and understand the needs and the struggles that the 9-1-1 Center faces.

You state that the employees of the
9-1-1 Center are cranky and not open for ideas, but I am here to invite you to join the Board, the Budget Committee and come get any questions answered that you have, field any complaints... our door is open. "

" Boy, you 911 folks are a cranky bunch aren't you. Don't worry, I don't think anyone is going to move your cheese anytime soon. It was only a suggestion.

I think it was a good suggestion to try to get a handle of OUR money being mismanaged.

Ok, a little education here "Overtime for night meetings". First of all, the board of directors are a volunteer group of people, they do not get paid, secondly, the director is salary (and a very large one), thusly she does not get overtime. So sorry to blow you out of the water on that one.

Other than the "pass my 10,000,000.00 levy or we are all going to die" meetings she had last spring, I challenge you to tell me one time that 911 had a board meeting at night. Board meetings are scheduled the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 9:00 am, and there is a reason for this.

They might also want to change thier own website, and these Wednesday meetings are the only ones they list.

I see that 911 personnel are not open to suggestions, so I guess I'm not open to vote yes. "

" But neither the sherriff or the chief know anything about running a 911 center.

It amazes me how you can honestly sit there and say that they have board meeting during the middle of the week to hide. They publish the notice in the paper. Can't get more open then that. I have attended several of their meeting at night. If you are going to talk at least tell the truth. Not to mention how many other public agencies and agencies hold their meetings during the day??? You wanna pay overtime for night meetings?? "

" I don't see anyone saying to disolve the 911 district, but he/she did say to get rid of the taxing district and let someone that knows how to run an agency such as 911 do so.

I think it is a brilliant idea. If "makes complete sense" needs help, I will be happy to help on this.

I'm voting no mainly because I don't like the way this director has handled her money since she has take over.

It is my understanding that she has convinced the board of directors to give her large raises every year. It seems like her focus should be on the operations of 911, while receiving "moderate" wage increases, and not "substantial" wage increases.

I feel this agencies money has been mismanaged, and now she wants us taxpayers to bail her out for her mistakes. "

" I for one speaking for myself and probably most of the fire fighters, EMS & ALS do NOT want the sherriffs office or the PD to run the 911 center. We want an center that will not be biased towards law, that has some sort of understanding about our needs and concerns. Law is about law period. Secondly, obviously "makes sense" has no clue about any type of public safety or how it is ran. Yes there are some centers ran by sherriffs offices or PDs however that is NOT for us. "

" To Hmmmmm:

Sounds logical to me too, someone has to get the ball rolling.

Why would we keep the director and the assistant directors position when another department head would be overseeing the agency? In my humble opionion the officer manager can be eliminated as well, saving even an additional amount of money.

Do you work for the government Hmmmm? We don't need multiple agency heads for one agency. I think that this would be a great idea having this under the authority of either the Sheriff or the Chief of Police instead of thier own.

It appears to me that there are not enough checks and balances with the current administration. They hide the board meeting in the middle of the week, in the middle of the day so the average joe can't go. At least under the control of the County Commissioners, I to feel that there would be more accountablility in the funding, and would be more apt to vote for any increases.

I'm voting no "

" "makes complete sense" says to dissolve the 911 district, fire the management, demote the supervisors and make the rest of the staff employees of the sheriffs office. Sounds interesting. Is "makes complete sense" the one to make that happen? "

" no no and no.

Use what funds you get if you can't then your fired. "

" Yes, we would lose the "taxing district" money because there would no longer be a taxing district. There would be a lot of bugs to work out, but I would trust my money with the County Commisioners than I do with the current 911 administration.

Like I said, what we currently have is what the Charter people want. It is not working for 911. It gives one person too much power. For the betterment of this County, this agency should go under County Control. I'm sure the current commissioners can find a way in the current budget to make it work.

You would immediatly eliminate about 200,000.00 of the 600 by eliminating the directors and the assistant directors position. On top of eliminating those two positons, they currently have 3 supervisors. If we drop them back down to dispatchers, there will be more dispatchers than what they are currently asking for, and will save about another 50,000.00 in those three positions. Another savings is that we would no longer have a board of directors to support either. We pay to send them to training (or socializing) and this does not benefit the dispatchers at all.

So for about 400,000, we can have a optimally ran agency. $400,000 is a far cry from the 10,000,000.00 she previously asked for and a tenth of what she is currently asking for. I would certainly vote to approve a 400,000.00 taxing district instead of a 5,000,000.00 levy.

Makes complete sense, and I think it should be looked into completely as an option. "

" I understand the theory of consolidating the 911with the Sherriffs or PD, however, that won't take away the fact that they will still be understaffed, need up-to-date equipment and need a faciltiy to be housed. Not to mention as someone previously said if the district is dissolved whatever agency would take them over would not get over $600 thousand dollars that the 911 center receives. So then again, it is going to fall back on the tax payers to come up with even more money than the approxmiately $1.50 a month that they are asking for now. To me that doesn't make sense. 911 has my vote! "

" Why Klamath?

The majority of 911 agencies in Oregon are under the supervision of another police agency, be it either the Sheriff's Office, or the City Police.

Lane Counties 911 is under the Chief of Police in Oakridge. It makes much more sense both rationally and economically to have this agency under the supervision of a qualified law enforcement agency.

I want to compare Klamath Counties 911 to the proposed Charter of Klamath County. There are 7 board of directors (for those in favor of the charter, these will be the commissioners) and 1 director, (again the county administrator).

It's not working for this small agency. This one director has too much power, the the board of directors have given her an open checkbook.

I to think it is time to get this agency back under the control of the agencies that use it and not the current board of directors and the "administrator".

I'm voting No, "

" I don't think that the person "Thinking it Through" was saying that anyone was going to die, they were in my opinion just stating that it is much more important for dispatch to take care of the needs of the citizens rather than tearing down walls etc.

I would also agree that we most certainly have over educated people for 911. People are very aware how to "use" and abuse the system and do so.

As far as if the landlord is willing to pay to have the building repaired is just that the landlord choice. I don't believe that I have read anywhere if the landlord has or hasn't said they would pay for the building to be repaired. I know as as a business person, I would have to think long and hard about repairing that building. That building is extremely old (with the exception of the addition) and it may not be worth the expense to replace I believe the front portion of the building. "

" Most of these arguments are good and I am enjoying them...but, one more thing to consider:
I feel we have OVEREDUCATED the public with 9-1-1. They dial it for EVERYTHING! It is ridiculous! You combine that with the fact that most people don't have medical insurance. If they go to Basin Immediate Care, for example, they have to pay upfront. BUT, if they go to Sky Lakes, they don't because the Emergency Room has to see you. How do they get there? ....you ask....by ambulance, of course. You see, a taxi cab won't take you unless you pay, but an ambulance HAS to take you by law. So there is our big problem, we have so many people who abuse the system, costing the rest of us more money in taxes. I can speak from experience that atleast 50% of the medical calls in Klamath Falls are not necessary! Find a way to weed these frequent flyers out and we have solved many problems and avoided a tax increase! "

" I generally don't comment on these boards, I do enjoy reading them however. But there was one poster that made a comment that I cannot let go in regards to the 911 levy.

"Thinking it Through" stated in his post, that "our baibies are going to die because the dispatchers are replacing moldy dryboard", and "your going to die because the dispatcher can't tell you how to perform CPR because they are replacing the leaky roof".

It is this type of threatening behavior that has always turned me off from voting for tax levies.

This person appears to be someone from 911, doesn't he/she know that this building is under a lease, and the owner will take care of all the problems? The owner even had a large addition placed on this building and the dispatch center now is newer than most other 911 agencies in Oregon. In fact, other than the new firehouse out on 140, this agency has the newest building of all emergency services in Klamath County.

I was considering voting yes on this levy, but since this employee threatened the voters, my vote is now NO. "

" NO ON THE CHARTER-Why? a county employee who worked under a charter form of government for 40 years in another county, said it is a nightmare! Costs went skyhigh, and in this charter for our county, it opens the door for more taxation: fuel tax, excise tax, business tax, luxury tax, and on and on. Yes, it has to go to the voters, over and over and over, but they can get it if only a handful of people are available to vote on it. Right now, that is not possible.
YES ON KCC: Let's provide new training such as vet assistant schooling and keep our kids here for jobs and careers. "

" Is it true that KCC intends to spend about $500 per square foot to construct a single building with the money? Is it true they are using a Portland architectural firm and a no bid award to their contractor? Is this contractor from out of town? I would actually like to know the answers to these questions before deciding whether to support it.
Is it true this cost is more than the new OIT Health Center, fully furnished with all of the newest medical technologies? I heard it was $300+ sq/foot with everything in it at OIT and the new dorms are about $200+ sq/ft at OIT.
Aren't some on the board of KCC asking for bids on a different and less expensive building, built by a local firm?
Wouldn't it be better to build two less expensive buildings (in light of future needs than one gold plated (by cost at least) building with the $14 million?
Thanks to anyone who can confirm or deny the rumors.
I "

" No on the charter, Yes on the KCC bond, no on the 911. "

" Obviously someone for 911 management is now trying to justify why they need more money. We are seeing the same scare tactic technique, either vote for this or we are all going to die if we have to call 911.

I have had to call 911 before, and it would have been faster if I drove my family to the hospital myself.

We are all not going to die when this fails, they have to dispatch police fire and medical no matter what.

Don't be fooled "

" To me, it would be worth a levy for this agency to go to the Sheriff's Office, I would vote yes on that.

I am voting no because of this board of directors and the open checkbook they have given this director.

I will be more than happy to vote yes, if someone else was holding the purse strings.

The only reason they hold these board meetings in the middle of the week, and in the middle of the day is so people of the public will not attend and challenge thier liberal spending.

If this agency will go to the county, I will vote yes, otherwise, no way. "

" If the sheriff's office was to take over the 9-1-1, the Center would lose the money that they receive as a specical district. ie. over $600K. Their permanent tax rate would be voided. The only money that the sherriff's office would be able to use would be the 1% of the 75 cents that we pay on our phone bills... approxmately $300K. So the county would then have to figure out where to replace the largest portion of their budget which would then again result in more taxes and I would bet it would be more than what the Center is currently asking for.

Also I believe the difference in the call volume is because the Center started utilizing AM messages. This is a way for the police and the Center to communicate rather than on the radio and if you look at the website it states they received over 88K of those. So if you add their calls in addition to the AM messages that is over 218K calls for the year.

Also, I have seen in the public notice section of the Herald and News that the Center does hold board meetings in the evenings. I do not believe that is a norm, but I would assume that if contacted they would change their meeting date to accomodate the citzens so that you could ask any questions that you may have. "

" Sal, I like the way you think. Those are all great questions, many of which need to be answered by the Director herself, when I’ve heard her speak she has been very welcoming of questions by the public.

Regarding the sheriff supervising the center, I would suggest asking him. Wouldn’t his office need a similar level of staffing, equipment, facility etc. Would his department charge user fees for the other 29 or so agencies. And ultimately would that cost the taxpayers more or less. Good questions.

Regarding the two taxes, I’m waiting to get this years property tax statement, but last years had the 9-1-1 district listed as the 2nd to lowest amount, right around the BTS buses and Vector control. I’ve never ridden the bus, and I’ve seen vector control spraying for bugs in my neighborhood once in the last 15 years. I personally don’t get that excited about that 13 –15 bucks a year, especially compared to what I pay the city, county, and fire district - look at your own property taxes. The other tax you’re referring to is probably the state tax that comes out of each phone bill. That goes to the state, and is first used for infra structure and state 9-1-1 management the individual PSAP’s just get a small chunk.

I pay about $90 a year for 9-1-1 that includes my property and phone taxes (big family so 4 cel phones). When I compare that to what I pay to the city in property taxes, water bills, street light fees, sewer fees, neighborhood beautification taxes (2), and since their ballot measure passed in May a relocate the police station tax, my principals chill out pretty quick when I compare that to those two taxes I pay for 9-1-1. Look at what you pay to the county, to the fire district etc. I’d rather line my principals up with the total cost, rather than how many fees or taxes it takes to get there.

If you don’t think the agency is accountable, who are you asking?
Again, I suggest contact the director.
And thank you, Sal for asking the questions every voter should. "

" The director is saying that the dispatchers are overworked taking too many calls. According to thier own website, the dispatchers handled 130000 calls with 7 dispatchers in 2005.

In 2008, they handled 129000 calls with 11 dispachers.

What is wrong with this. Calls have decreased, employees increased. Sounds good enough to me. Too money discrencies for me.

No on 911 "

" One more thing, I did not say that I wanted the public to stop having contact 24/7. I suggested to stop taking non emergency calls during normal business hours. These calls could be directed straight to the law enforcement/fire agencies that are already open during that time. You will see the call load drop 25-50%.

If would read my statement, I stated that "if you felt that a barking dog was an emergency after hours, then call 911".

Please be open for suggestions, as there are many other ways to get what you want without gouging the taxpayers. A "buck and a half" a month is not much, but it is the principal of it. We already pay 2 taxes to this agency, they don't need a third.

I think another suggestion would be to disolve the district, put the money it is currently getting into the general fund, and transfer the operations of 911 under the Sheriffs control. Many other counties do it this way, and the money is managed much better, and with more accountability.

I wouldn't mind paying more taxes for an agency that has better accountability for it's funds. "

" Ok, you made some compelling arguments on this, but didn't answer others.

Question 1: Will 911 cease to dispatch services if this does not pass?

Question 2: Have you tried to gain funds for a new building other than the Klamath County taxpayers.

Question 3: Has the directors wages gotten to a such that is now higher than the Sheriff's of Klamath County?

Question 4: Why are the board meetings on the middle of the week during the daytime when most of the working people of Klamath County cannot attend?

Question 5: Are the wages going to increase, and are you going to build a new building if this passes. I can understand normal contractual raises as well as cost of living, but other than these two things, is the directors or her supervisors wages going to take another dramatic jump next year.

Question 6: What happens in 5 years when this levy expires, are we going to be held hostage and have to vote in an even bigger tax increase, or be threatened again with lay offs and death because you can't continue to pay for what you got with this levy.

Thanks "

" 9-1-1 is mandated (by the State) to process “emergency” calls coming in on the 9-1-1 system, and dispatch or “relay for Dispatch” that call to the appropriate responding agency. 9-1-1 centers are not required to be dispatch centers, they usually are because that is the most efficient way to do it.

“Sal” suggested a few options that would have to be considered if the voters fail on passing this ballot measure. “Sal” of course is wrong in assuming that 9-1-1 centers (PSAP’s) are mandated to dispatch – they are not.

The first was the suggestion that our local agencies could operate like OSP and have their own dispatch centers…. Talk to your police chief, fire chief, and ambulance provider and ask them what it would cost (you the taxpayer) for them to provide their own dispatch services.

Charging a user fee is also an option -- but isn’t this a taxation on the citizens also, wouldn’t the fees be charged to the individual agencies that are all funded by taxes. If they have to add a user fee for dispatch services to their budget, could that mean less officers on the street, less equipment etc. Is that what the voters want?

The final option presented by “Sal” is to stop taking non emergency calls. The question here is do the taxpayers no longer want 24/7 access to the police, sheriff, fire departments etc for non emergencies? Would those agencies then have to staff or contract 24/7 non emergency call centers, again, at what cost to the taxpayers. Less service or more funding (higher taxes) to those agencies. The 9-1-1 center currently provides dispatch service to close to 30 agencies, do you, the voter, want to have those agencies scrambling to find the funding and means to provide that 24/7 access to you for non emergencies.

The real questions aren’t about the salaries, or buildings, or even why the call takers that take the call of your baby choking aren’t spending their time replacing wall board that is full of mold, or why the call taker that is there to provide you instruction on giving CPR to your loved one isn’t patching the leaks in the roof, or do I even care where the 9-1-1 center is?

The real questions are simple: What does this ballot measure buy me, the voter? “Sal” gets it, the answer to that is continued service in non emergency call taking, and dispatch service for “OUR” public safety entities.
The next simple question is do I the voter want that? If so what is the cost? For my household its about a buck and a half a month……… hmmm that’s a third of what I pay to insure my cel phone……… yeah that’s do-able. "

" It sounds like to me the only thing 911 wants is a new building and a few new toys. The director admitted to getting new radios on a grant since the last attempt to bamboozle us out of money, maybe she can work a little harder and find grants for a new building.

I would think that since this is a federally mandated service, that there should be some help out there for low interest building loans.

I would think if the director gave back all the money that the board has given her over the last 3 years in raises alone, that would make the monthly payment on a new building.

This board has no priorities, spend, spend, spend. Try to save, save, save. "

" I too am confused "get a clue", you just describe what 911 does now.

Anyway, good post Sal, there are many other options than to raise our taxes. We need to make this director hold her nose to the grindstone and work with what we already give her.

1: Yes on KCC
2: Maybe on KCFD (haven't seen any information out on this one yet)
3: No on 911 "

" To Get A Clue, what are you trying to say. From what you said, that is what 911 is already doing.

They take the call, and then dispatch it to the proper agency. This is the exact same thing they will do when this fails.

I am confused with your post, are you saying that if the 911 levy does not pass, then ALL the emergency services in this county will cease to exist? If so, that is simply not true. 911 is an agency not tied to any police, fire or medical service, they are their own entity with their own budget.

When this fails, 911 is mandated by law to dispatch police, fire and medical. How this director chooses to do this is up to her. Oregon State Police sends their calls to a central dispatch station in Medford. There is no time delay in doing this, and that dispatch center dispatches the Troopers to calls here in Klamath. That could be an option.

Another option would be to charge a user fee to agencies that use this service. This would be a fair way to do it. Those who use the service more, pay more. Why should Merrill PD pay the same as KFPD?

Option 3: Stop taking non emergency calls. As a child we have always been taught to call 911 in case of an emergency. We were never taught to call 911 because of a dog barking, or to get a weather and road report. You could see a drop in phone calls by close to 50% if they did this.

For non emergency calls, people should call the Klamath Falls City Police, Sheriff's office or fire department during normal business hours. All these agencies have people working during the day, and could answer the questions.

If after normal business hours then you feel that the barking dog is an emergency, call 911.

There are too many options that have not been tried, and too many instances of bad management by the director.

Vote as you see fit, but when this doesn't pass, it won't affect dispatching police, fire and medical to your house. It will only supply this agency with new toys and a new building. "

" The ONLY thing that 911 is mandated to do is take your 911 call and send it to someone else. It is up to the someone else to figure out what to do with it. So if the 911 center only does what they are mandated to do by law you better hope that every single police department, sherriffs office, all ambulance providers, and every single fire department has enough money to hire the additional staff to work 24/7, train their new which is mandated by law, in addition to all of the mandated equipment to dispatch their staff out. "

" Christine: Even if this fails, you will still have 911 service. This service is mandated by law and they have to respond to your police, fire and medical needs, NO MATTER WHAT. Passing this levy will not prohibit them from doing this, passing this levy will only give them the toys they don't need. If they want these toys, they should save for them, and not threaten the voters of Klamath County.

Don't let them scare you. Regardless of the failure of this levy, you will still have access to police, fire and medical. "

" It appears that everyone has the same opinion.

I am voting yes on KCC and the KCFD. I agree about 911 and will be voting No. It sounds like there are too many discrepencies on the way this board handles the money and cannot be trusted with anymore. "

" 911, Fire District, and then maybe KCC. Taxes are high enough, as any home owner will tell you. But when the whacked out tweaker is freaking out in front of my house, I want to be able to call 911 and get an officer on the scene before any of the neighborhood kids get hurt. "

" I would be embarrased if I was involved in the 911 agency and have these board of directors and the director herself beg for money like this.

Isn't this mandated by law, don't they have to exist? It is like getting public assistance, then ask for money on top of that.

KCC Yes.

I'm voting no on the Fire District one as well. "

" I to agree with all these posts. I would say yes on KCC, maybe on KCFD, and NO way on 911. "

" I don't need to call KCC. I stopped in last spring for a face-to-face talk with the president [before the last levy failed.] He couldn't present a clear need. His primary focus was the need for more lab classrooms. I challenged him to go, right then, and see if his existing lab room was in use - since it was such a critical space. He was too busy but I did walk down there with another staff person and, like most of the class space at 8:30 a.m. or so, it was sitting empty. I am all for education but I don't see the present need for more space. KCC is quite under-utilized now. Indeed, when will their last 5 years erollment numbers be published including separating out the high school students using KCC and the hobby classes going on. I think attendance for certificate/degree seekers will not support more building, more taxes. "

" It sounds like it's unanimous here.....a definite yes for KCC. With the economy the way it is and will be for some time, and people losing their jobs every day, I will quickly agree the last thing we need is more taxes. However, I hope these people will make wise use of their "time off" and perhaps go back to school....KCC....we can never go wrong with funding higher education.

I am a definite NO on 911. Granted they do need a new building, not because of the mold, but because of the location. Generally 911 centers are located underground in a much safer and more secure area. I'm sure we are the only ones with a center located next to a major rail yard!

I am reluctant to say no to the fire dept. While they haven't asked for an increase in funding for a very long time and probably need it, it is a bad time to ask for more money. I am inclined to agree with the adage...work with what you have.....maybe more education from the fire department would help us understand what they want this money for and what happens if they don't get it. Perhaps they need to lose the failing ambulance service our tax dollars are subsidising and let a private ambulance service take it over...... "

" TNT:

I welcome you to go down and look at this building. It is not a rat hole, they just don't take care of it. This building is under a lease and the owner will gladly take care of any problems that arise. 911 personel need to take care of what they have and not abuse it.

Because they are not good stewards of our money, I can't even rank them as qualifying for consideration for any tax levy. "

" KCC is first, a no brainer, why don't these people get this? Better education, better jobs, less welfare etc. #2, 911, how would you lie to work in a rat hole? #3 fire dist. "

" Jim,
Maybe you could call KCC, I'm sure they would be more than happy to print you out a copy of their classroom matrix. You will find that the classrooms are very much busy during the day, and in the evening. Their proposal is not to build new generic classrooms, but specialized classrooms to teach specific subjects that the community needs! You can't hold a welding class in a chemistry lab, and you certainly can't have a medical classroom, with all its medical equipment and beds being used as a math lab, most of the room is full of medical equipment. Really, if you don't think the college funding is necessary for the community, go talk to the administration. They are trying to find room to offer specific programs that the community and employers are asking for. (did you notice all the businesses that had yes on KCC signs in the last election? they seem to appreciate what the expansion will mean for new jobs, and better jobs) "

" If I were to prioritize these, it would be much of the same.

I am for sure voting yes on KCC, and I am for sure voting No on the 911. First she said she needed 10,000,000.00, now she says, "Ok, just kidding, I do need 4,000,000.00 though". Oh and by the way, we have to evacuate our building because we are poor housekeepers and can't keep our building clean.

Then in todays paper, it is now no longer a problem. This lady has two mouths, and she forgets which one she is speaking out of.

No on 911, Yes on KCC, Don't know on KCFD. "

" FIre District - NO
KCC - NO
911 - NO

Maybe when the ballots come out I will mix the order up a little, but regardless all three get a resounding NO.

Fire District 1 has seen growth within its boundaries. More construction + more property taxes = more funds diverted to the district. They shouldn't be asking for more, they should be doing like the rest of us... making use of what we have.

To take from J.K. Rowling's Professor Umbridge.

"Progress for the sake of progress should be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, and perfect what can be perfected."

KCC is a great institution here in the Basin. Many students pass through KCC on to a better life. However, asking the economically strapped community to fund improvements that no one can afford is just wrong. Take what you have and make it work, that is what the rest of us are doing everyday.

I'm not sure 911 even warrants a response, but I will give one for the sake of uniformity. 911 will be here if the bond fails, it will be here if the bond passes. That is the magic of federal mandated programs. I dont deny that the building may be older and could use some upgrades, and what employee wouldnt want a brand new building and equipment (yes, I know the director says she wont build, but in the end there will be a surplus and she and her board will agree to build.) but the fact of the matter is most people just dont have the extra money for extra taxes. "

" I would consider the fire levy. As the others say, NO WAY for 911. I also challenge people to see how much existing KCC facilities are empty, under-used over an 8 hr. day. Someday they maybe will have the over-load conditions but they sure don't now. And the lure of "free" State money - which isn't free, of course - is no reason to vote for more taxes for us. "

" Well spoken OMG! Maybe a charge for non-emergency calls would help too. Funny how they found 6 million dollars and mold at the same time. KCC, maybe, to take advantage of the matching funds. No way on the fire district. Property taxes continue to escalate and there are more properties paying tax. I think that should be enough. "

" #1Yes for Kcc, #2 Still and the ledge for the fire department, not sure yet,, and #3 NO WAY for 911. Until they revamp the management, we will continue to see our funds being misused. "

" 1: KCC
2: Fire District

I wouldn't even rank 911 as needing anything. They are mandated by law and has to exist. We already pay two taxes to this entity, they don't need a third. The only thing this money will be used for is a Taj Mahal to house this director and her herom of supervisors. Even though she will tell you that is not what it is going to be used for, ask her if she will build a new building if this is passed. It is evident that the director and the board mismanage this money, and I won't give them a penny. "