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RESOLUTION 2008 - 14 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION H (HELP) TO PROVIDE AN INTEROPERABLE EMERGENCY RADIO SYSTEM FOR ALL FIRST RESPONDERS IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY (Prop H avoids new property or sales taxes; reinstates 'use' tax) Whereas, each day police and firefighters are at risk in life and death situations while serving the public, which is worsened by using World War II-era radio systems; and Whereas, voters have the opportunity to reduce the risk to themselves and to the men and women who pledge to protect us; and Whereas, during the truck/auto disaster on Highway 40 that claimed a number of lives, an interoperable radio system would have improved communications among all first responders rushing to offer mutual aid and timely aid to victims; and Whereas, during the 2001 terrorist plane crash into the Pentagon in Washington, DC and the 2007 bridge collapse in Minneapolis, first responders used modern, interoperable radio systems which enabled clear, concise, timely radio transmissions; and Whereas, the FCC requires major upgrades to emergency radio systems by 2012 that will cost tens of millions of dollars; it makes sense now to go to the next level to full interoperability; and Whereas, limited radio frequencies available for interoperable systems require collaborative use of a regional frequency plan, which can only be accomplished if we build a countywide system which is also more cost- effective than a number of small networks; and Whereas, in 2008 Prop H (HELP) is a funding source that avoids another sales or property tax by closing the loophole allowing products from other states to be exempted from the County sales tax (estimated to be about 10% of all purchases, most of which are business-to-business); and Whereas, this out-of-state sales tax was eliminated for local governments in the mid 1990s, but the state tax has applied for decades; and Whereas, the out-of-state tax may be collected by vendors, but if not, annual purchases ofless than $2,000 are exempt; and Whereas, Prop H (HELP) levels the playing field for local brick and mortar businesses (that employ our citizens and pay local taxes) by equalizing the sales tax on all goods, including those purchased from other states; and Whereas, taxing out-of-state sales equal to in-state sales will also generate funds for the County and for municipalities with lower sales tax revenues; and Whereas, the revenue potential of Prop H (HELP) provides sufficient funds to connect warning sirens with local radio systems and enhance the 911 system to identify the location of cellphone calls; assist with a joint County/Municipal League strategy to create jobs by expanding small business incubators and promoting 'green' initiatives; and address the need for municipal and County parks to better serve older adults and disabled citizens. Now, therefore, be it resolved that St. Louis County Municipal League encourages citizens to carefully consider Prop H (HELP) to fund, build and maintain an interoperable emergency radio system in compliance with FCC standards for all first responders in St. Louis County, level the playing field for local businesses competing with those in other states, and accomplish the other goals as part of a joint strategy between the Municipal League and St. Louis Countv.