Scappoose city councilor challenges Columbia 911 ballot title

A challenge has been brought against the proposed title of a ballot measure that, if approved by voters, would fund Columbia County 911 operations.

The Columbia 911 board of directors has referred to voters a five-year local option levy of 29 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to fund 911 emergency services. Approval would re-authorize he previous levy that expired the end of June, 2024. As it is currently filed, the measure would appear on the November ballot as "Local Option Levy for 9-1-1 Emergency Services."

However, a formal complaint has been filed against the measure title on grounds that it could mislead voters.

The petition against the ballot title was brought forth by Scappoose City Councilor Tyler Miller, who has been a long-time critic of the emergency communications district.

“The proposed ballot title of the measure is misleading. The proposed levy would not fund ‘emergency services’ generally understood to mean boots on the ground providing police, emergency medical, fire, poison control and animal control services," the petition states.

The document continues, “Rather, the levy would fund C911CD (the 911 district) emergency and non-emergency dispatch. Because the current ballot title gives the inaccurate impression that funds from the levy would be used to fund personnel providing police, fire, emergency medical and similar boots-on-the-ground personnel, the court should certify the following ballot title to replace the one that C911CD has proposed: ‘Local Option Levy for 911 Communication Services.”

The measure was also on the ballot in May, but failed 57.25% to 42.75% .

“Given that C911CD’s levy on the May 2024 ballot failed when that measure accurately described the levy as supporting ‘911 Emergency Communications Operating Funds,’ it’s understandable that C911CD would try to make this latest levy sound more urgent by including ‘emergency services’ in the ballot title," the petition stated.

The Columbia 911 board of directors filed a response to the petition denying that the title was misleading. The response states that 911 dispatchers are first responders under state law, and provide emergency services in a number of ways, such as by guiding callers through the steps to deliver a baby or provide CPR, and by talking individuals in crisis out of harming themselves.

"As first responders, the District’s 9-1-1 Dispatchers provide continuous emergency services, sometimes to a full resolution. The 9-1-1 Dispatchers are not mere information takers who relay emergency calls to other first responders," the response reads.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, in room 351 of the Columbia County Courthouse.

This story has been updated with additional information.