Elections seeks statement writers for emergency radio tax measure

The Snohomish County Council is accepting letters of interest from people wanting to help write statements in support of and against a proposed 0.1 percent local sale and use tax to fund emergency communications systems and facilities.

The county council on June 20 approved an ordinance placing the proposed tax on the November general election ballot.

If approved, the Snohomish County Emergency Radio System Board (SERS) would like to have the existing 800MHz system from 2001 replaced by 2022. The tax would take effect on April 1, 2019, and is estimated to generate $9.4 million in 2019 and $16.7 million in 2020.

There can be three people on each pro and con committee, but letters of interest must be sent to the county council by 5 p.m. Monday, July 16.

Letters of interest may be sent to Brandi Vena at Brandi.Vena@snoco.org or by mail: Attn. Brandi Vena, Snohomish County Council, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609, Everett, WA 98201.