E911 and Emergency Communications Taxes

How Your Taxes Support 911 Services

In Washington State, counties are authorized to levy a $0.70 per line tax for each phone line or cell phone. Taxes are paid to the State of Washington, passed to Kittitas County, and then distributed to KITTCOM monthly to support enhanced 911 services. Additionally, the State of Washington collects a $0.25 per phone line or cell phone, which has been used in the past to supplement smaller counties whose 911 systems need support. Historically, Kittitas County has received more of these tax dollars than were generated inside the county. Over the past 20+ years, the phone excise taxes have not kept pace with expenses and necessary technology improvements. During this period, the distribution of the $0.25 funding has evolved into a system whereby counties receive the majority of these funds generated inside the counties by meeting state program goals. These excise taxes help to make our 911 system universally accessible at no cost to the user and support technology upgrades. Examples of upgrades include the improved location identification that is available where dispatchers can locate the cell phone caller’s location to a high degree of accuracy and people can text to 911 when they can’t speak or their signal is weak.

The shift from landlines to cell phones has complicated the distribution of excise tax revenues for some counties. Kittitas County has a significant number of part-time and full-time residents (such as CWU students and Suncadia residents) who may maintain a residence in another county. This impacts excise tax distribution. For example, if your cell phone bill is sent to a King County address, the excise tax revenues are allocated to King County, not Kittitas County, even if you reside here. To support local 911 services, you can contact your cell phone carrier and provide them with your Kittitas County address. This adjustment will help mitigate the impact on our 911 system and reduce future funding requests. The two excise taxes together generate approximately 1.2 million dollars annually, covering just over a third of our operational expenses.

Operational expenses, which total approximately $3.2 million for 2025, encompass the majority of our staff, utilities, training, public education, public records, and some maintenance. Most of the rest of our operational revenues come from our user agencies, including law enforcement, fire, EMS, and various public works and community service agencies. These agencies pay on a pro-rated percentage based on the activity their personnel and missions create for KITTCOM. Ellensburg Police, Kittitas County Sheriff, and Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue are the largest users and thus the largest financial supporters. KITTCOM leases tower space to other agencies and this comprises the balance of our operational revenues. The money collected from our stakeholder agencies was maintained at 2024 levels for 2025.

The other primary budget is the 911 and radio communications network. Previously, we relied on operational revenues to supplement grants and state funding. That model became strained years ago and no longer adequately supports emergency communications, particularly in rural counties. Our community's approval of the 2/10ths of one percent sales tax was due to strong community support. Our long-term infrastructure now has a steady and sufficient funding source and our competitiveness for grant funding has been strengthened. The voter-approved tax adds $2 to a $1000 purchase on items or services subject to sales tax.