RiverCom seeks voter support for 911 upgrade funding in February 2026

WENATCHEE — The RiverCom 911 Administrative Board has voted to ask voters in Chelan and Douglas counties to approve a small sales tax increase next year to help modernize the region’s emergency dispatch system.

The measure will appear on the Feb. 10, 2026 special election ballot. If approved in both counties, it would add one-tenth of one percent to the local sales tax — the equivalent of one cent on a $10 purchase.

RiverCom provides 911 call answering and dispatch for every law enforcement, fire and EMS agency in the two-county region, and also serves as a designated backup for neighboring counties if their lines go down. Officials say the system is showing its age, with infrastructure, technology and physical space all falling behind the needs of a growing population and seasonal influxes of visitors.

“We're at a critical point,” said RiverCom Executive Director Doug Jones. “The professionals who answer 911 calls are the first voice people hear in an emergency. They are the first First Responders and they partner with other agencies in the field. They require resources to serve our communities effectively.”

If the measure passes, RiverCom would be able to expand into a larger facility with adequate room for dispatchers, training, and upgraded technology. The agency currently operates out of the third floor of the Wenatchee Police Department — space the police department itself wants to reclaim for its own growing needs. A 2019 study described RiverCom’s quarters as “stressed beyond capacity.”

The funding package would also address weak radio coverage in areas such as Blewett Pass, sections of U.S. Highway 2, Lake Wenatchee, and parts of Douglas County. New towers and upgraded radio systems are planned to eliminate “dead zones” and improve communication between first responders. Investments would also continue in next-generation 911 technology and cybersecurity protections.

One provision of the plan would directly benefit local agencies: Approval would allow RiverCom to eliminate the $1.5 million in annual user fees now paid by police, fire and EMS departments. Those dollars could then remain in local budgets for other needs.

The board has pledged to pursue the most cost-effective approach, paying cash wherever possible to avoid long-term debt. Community information sessions are planned for January 2026, with details posted on RiverCom’s website.

For more information, visit rivercom911.org/sales-tax-proposal or call 509-668-3125.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media