Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Board Radio Work Month Of February - 02/01/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Columbia 9-1-1 Conducting Planned Maintenance and Inspections

Work follows meetings with first responders and community member to support reliable emergency communications

ST. HELENS, Ore. [February 01, 2026] — The Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District will begin planned preventative maintenance and inspections at select radio tower sites starting the week of February 2, 2026. After meeting with local first responders and receiving input from community members, the District is taking steps to address the concerns raised and maintain reliable emergency communications.

In addition to preventative maintenance, the inspections will help identify equipment that may need updating or replacement to ensure the system is performing as designed. Maintenance activities will take place intermittently over an estimated three-week period. During this time, individual tower sites may be temporarily taken out of service while work is completed.

The District has worked closely with emergency responder agencies throughout Columbia County to identify practical, accessible solutions and to develop a coordinated plan that includes contingency measures to minimize any potential service impacts.

“Our priority is responding quickly and effectively to the concerns raised by the agencies and community members who rely on this system,” said Jeremy Hipes, Executive Director of the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District. “This work allows us to directly assess system performance and take appropriate action while keeping emergency communications available.”

Emergency services will continue to operate throughout the maintenance period. The District will provide updates as appropriate if conditions change.

For more information, please contact:
Jeremy Hipes
Executive Director
Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District
Phone: 503-397-7255
Email: jhipes@columbia911.com

Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Board Refers Local Option Levy To May 2026 Ballot - 01/16/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2026

Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Board Refers Local Option Levy to May 2026 Ballot

ST. HELENS, Ore. — The Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Board of Directors approved Resolution 26-01, referring a local option levy measure to the May 19, 2026, primary election ballot.

The measure proposes a five-year levy of 29 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to support the continued operation of 9-1-1 emergency communications services throughout Columbia County.

If approved, the levy is expected to generate an estimated $10,914,819 over five years, based on current assessed property values, with projected annual revenues as follows:

• Year 1: $1,997,354
• Year 2: $2,086,125
• Year 3: $2,178,841
• Year 4: $2,275,679
• Year 5: $2,376,820

Revenue from the levy would be used to maintain current 9-1-1 services and address ongoing operational needs, including system reliability, technology upgrades, and supporting infrastructure for emergency communications.

“The proposed levy would help the district maintain existing 9-1-1 operations and plan for continued system and technology needs,” said Jeremy Hipes, Executive Director.

The Board also authorized the Executive Director to submit the required ballot title and explanatory statement to the Columbia County Elections Office. Voters will decide on the measure during the May 19, 2026 primary election.