Get That Ballot? Prop 1 Seeks Sales Tax Increase for New Radio System

Did you get your ballot? Thousands of ballots are arriving in mailboxes throughout the county for a special election on April 22.

IT'S THE ONLY QUESTION ON THE BALLOT

There's only one issue on the ballot, Proposition 1 asking voters for a 0.2% increase in the sales tax over the next 7 years to pay for a new radio system for local law enforcement. The ballot says the vote is for "Yakima County Emergency Communication Systems and Facilities."

THOUSANDS OF BALLOTS ARE WAITING TO BE VOTED

Yakima County Auditor Charles Ross says the office sent out more than 133,00 ballots to registered voters but he expects a "very low turnout."
Your ballot is due April 22. Yakima County Sheriff's Deputy Travis Watkins says the challenge of not being on the same frequency has been problem for years in Yakima because agencies all have separate radio systems. The new system, at a cost of $35 million will place law enforcement, firefighters and other first-responders on the same system.

IF IT PASSES THE WORK WILL BEGIN

Yakima County Sheriff Bob Udell says If voters support the sales tax increase it could take months to implement the new system which would require new infrastructure in the county and equipment upgrades to portable and mobile radio systems.
Yakima County Commissioners support the new system after funding a study back in 2022.
Udell says the new system will save lives and increase response times in the case of a major emergency like a school shooting in the Yakima Valley or other emergencies in which a quick response is necessary. .