Emergency Communications Funding
Spokane County’s emergency communication system, managed by SREC, is funded through a combination of public taxes and agency fees. These sources of funding are critical to maintaining and advancing the systems and staff that connect callers to the help they need.
Spokane County funds SREC’s essential services through two primary revenue sources: the 911 Excise Tax and a 1/10th of 1% Public Safety Sales Tax. While the 911 Excise Tax remains relatively stable and the sales tax typically grows modestly each year, both are influenced by broader economic conditions. At the same time, the costs associated with public safety technology, as well as salaries and benefits for emergency personnel, continue to rise. Increasing call volume, more complex
incidents, and public expectations for rapid, reliable emergency response also place additional demands on communications systems. To meet these challenges, SREC continually evaluates and invests in technology that strengthens the capabilities of its Communications Officers and supports effective emergency response. Each funding source serves a specific purpose. The 911 Excise Tax supports the 911 phone system and the staffing required to answer emergency calls—ensuring that when someone dials 911, a trained Communications Officer can quickly determine the caller’s location and the nature of the emergency. The 1/10th of 1% Sales Tax supports Crime Check services, CAD system maintenance and future development, first responder radio equipment, and the maintenance of 23 radio tower sites that ensure reliable communication for field responders. It also helps sustain the increasingly complex software and infrastructure required to support modern emergency communications. Despite these dedicated funding streams and the service fees paid by member agencies, revenues no longer fully cover the rising cost of operations. As a result, SREC—under the guidance of its Board of Directors—must carefully prioritize expenditures while planning for the community’s evolving emergency communications needs.
incidents, and public expectations for rapid, reliable emergency response also place additional demands on communications systems. To meet these challenges, SREC continually evaluates and invests in technology that strengthens the capabilities of its Communications Officers and supports effective emergency response. Each funding source serves a specific purpose. The 911 Excise Tax supports the 911 phone system and the staffing required to answer emergency calls—ensuring that when someone dials 911, a trained Communications Officer can quickly determine the caller’s location and the nature of the emergency. The 1/10th of 1% Sales Tax supports Crime Check services, CAD system maintenance and future development, first responder radio equipment, and the maintenance of 23 radio tower sites that ensure reliable communication for field responders. It also helps sustain the increasingly complex software and infrastructure required to support modern emergency communications. Despite these dedicated funding streams and the service fees paid by member agencies, revenues no longer fully cover the rising cost of operations. As a result, SREC—under the guidance of its Board of Directors—must carefully prioritize expenditures while planning for the community’s evolving emergency communications needs.
