'Good for everyone': Backers of sales tax for Lewis County 911 in celebratory mood after measure passes

Nov. 11—As the general election results appeared on television screens at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, a trio of backers of one measure were jubilant.

A two-tenths of 1 percent sales tax to fund Lewis County 911 Communications systems and facilities had passed. At 57.19 percent approval as of the latest tally on Friday, a measure that had failed once before garnered a strong majority of support from voters.

Elizabeth Cameron, president of the Citizens for Lewis County 911 Political Action Committee, Frank Corbin, the vice president, and supporter and former Lewis County Commissioner Edna Fund raised their arms in triumph, embraced and cheered.

"911 doesn't belong to a political party, so we are excited about this being a lifeline for the community and an investment fund for the future ... It's extremely important that we have an up-to-date communication center," Cameron told The Chronicle during an interview on Thursday.

So how did a measure gain nearly 10 percentage points after being rejected by voters in 2023?

According to Cameron, the positive result is in large part due to a dedicated core of active volunteers who engaged in a full-court press of informative outreach to make their case to voters across the county.

Town halls. Media interviews. Radio talk show appearances. Presentations to local government bodies. A booth at the Southwest Washington Fair. Advertising in local news outlets. Speeches of support at local political gatherings.

All of it came together on the night of the general election.

"It's an honor to have been a president of such a great team," Cameron told The Chronicle. "It's been an honor. I believe everyone is going to benefit from this. It's good for the budget and good for everyone."

Cameron, a former Centralia city councilor who immigrated to the U.S. from Scotland in the 1980s, had plenty of people to thank as the results were solidified. Among them were Corbin, Fund, Carol Brock, Brittany Voie, Sherri Murphy, Gregg Peterson and Richard Underdahl, though Cameron said the complete list is longer than that.

She also thanked Todd Chaput and the Economic Alliance of Lewis County for assistance in the successful campaign.

The initiative had support from the City of Centralia, the Fire Chiefs Association, and the 911 Communications Combined User Committee for Lewis County, among others.

"They kept their eyes on the goal to get this ballot measure passed," she said.

Above all, though, she said she is thankful for the citizens of Lewis County who cast their votes in favor of improved public safety.

"I know a lot of folks are stretched on personal budgets," Cameron said. "As a property owner, this is not a property tax. This is a sales and use tax. I think we did our best to make that happen ... To me, it's worth the sacrifice to save you, your life and your personal property ... First responders and, of course, emergency services, is the lifeline of the community."

Supporters of the new sales tax — which will allow the county to begin collecting a .2% sales tax in order to fund its 911 call center, a rate of 2 cents for every $10 — highlighted that it will ensure those traveling through the area or shopping in Lewis County will now pay into the system.

The funds are expressly earmarked for the 911 center, meaning they cannot be transferred to another county fund. The tax will raise approximately $4 million in annual revenue. Groceries, gas and medicine would be exempt from the tax.

Thurston County narrowly supported a similar proposal in 2023. Last November, voters there passed a proposition to impose a two-tenths of 1% sales and use tax increase to primarily fund law enforcement.

Lewis County's 911 center is currently funded through user fees, which in this case are first responders. The funds for those fees and other fire department operations are collected through property tax levies.

Cameron noted the construction of the new WinCo Foods in the Port of Centralia's Centralia Station development as another reason for optimism, noting that many people from outside the area will likely travel into the county to shop.

"Their contributions will be valuable to the community," Cameron said.

For now, Cameron said, there are plans in place to celebrate passage of the measure and honor volunteers during a dinner in Chehalis later this month.

"They worked very hard," she said.