9‑1‑1 director urges levy to stabilize aging radio system as board member warns of long-standing waste

The county 9‑1‑1 executive director, Jeremy Hypes, told the St. Helens City Council on Feb. 4 that the district is seeking a five‑year operations levy worth 29¢ per $1,000 of assessed value — an option that would yield approximately $10.9 million for the district — to stabilize staffing and address aging radio infrastructure.

Hypes described a program of equipment testing and phased work to keep the existing 30‑year‑old system running but said replacement remains the long‑term need. "This system can't just be stabilized. It needs to be replaced," Hypes said, warning that parts are scarce, technicians with institutional knowledge are retiring, and failures could occur suddenly.

A board member and local elected official identified as Tyler, who sits on the 9‑1‑1 board, explained why he voted against the levy and urged the council to demand stronger assurances before endorsing countywide ballot measures. Tyler listed historical examples he said represent waste or poor outcomes, including a $66,720 software purchase that was not installed, consultant engagements that produced few results, a $400,000 radio‑site expenditure with little follow‑through, and what he characterized as roughly $2 million in avoidable spending. "They have demonstrated continuously for over a decade that even with the funding, they can't get anything done," Tyler said.

Tyler also noted ongoing oversight activity: he said the Secretary of State was investigating the 9‑1‑1 district for elections‑law issues and that the Oregon Government Ethics Commission had opened several inquiries. He urged structural fixes including transparent, itemized plans showing how any new levy funds would be spent and consideration of alternative governance or county ownership of the radio system.

Councilors asked detailed operational questions — including whether the county or sheriff's office could take ownership and how user‑fee allocations among agencies would work. Hypes said a county or collaborative ownership model was being discussed and described how a user‑fee model would calculate shares based on calls served. He also described reserve funds the district holds and explained that a prior replacement deal fell apart when a previous levy failed, prompting a vendor (Motorola) to withdraw.

What happens next: Council heard the presentation and questioned staff; no council endorsement or formal referral was recorded at the work session. Several councilors said they valued additional public education and a future return presentation to answer technical and governance questions.

Quotes from the meeting: "I am here in my, in an official capacity as executive director... I personally cannot ask for your support. What I'm here for is to state some facts," Hypes said. Board member Tyler said: "I did vote no... I don't have any confidence in giving money without a plan and guarantees."