Vote 'no' on Northern Lakes fire district levy

The Northern Lakes Fire Protective District is proposing an override tax levy.

FACT: If passed, this will increase the amount of tax you pay to the district by almost 50 percent!!

QUESTION: In these troubling economic times, can you afford this significant tax increase?

As a part of the district's strategic plan, a brand new fire station will be built, somewhere in the area of Lancaster Road, west of U.S. 95.

FACT: The district currently has 2 stations within the general vicinity of where they want to build a new station: Station #3, just off of Garwood Road, and Station #8 (a maintenance and storage facility), on old highway 95 between SH 53 and Garwood Road.

QUESTION: Why not utilize one of these existing facilities rather than building a brand new station? Certainly, any modification of an existing facility would be considerably more cost effective than adding an entirely new station!

In the strategic plan for the district, there is an anticipation of several large new developments, including Hayden Canyon. These will place a significantly greater demand on the district for their services.

FACT: The complete build-out of these developments will significantly increase the tax base of the district, and as such significantly increase the revenues for the district.

QUESTION: Why should the district's property owners bear the responsibility of improving the infrastructure for a few select developers? It would seem logical to most people, that the cost of providing services to these new developments should be borne by imposing impact fees on the developers.

The district maintains that this levy is necessary to maintain the current level of service to the district.

FACT: The response time for an incident in the proximity of Station #1 (Hayden), and Station #2 (Rathdrum), will likely remain unchanged. The response time to outlying areas could conceivably be reduced marginally. For example, the current response time to an incident on the back side of Hayden Lake is approximately 30 minutes. The proposed new station may reduce this response time to 25 minutes.

QUESTION: Does the district's intent to marginally increase their level of service justify an increase in your tax rate by almost 50 percent?

The district maintains that they are "well below the national average," using the formula of 1 full time firefighter per 1,000 residents.

FACT: This district originated as a volunteer organization. As recently as 3 years ago, there were several groups of dedicated volunteers serving the outlying areas of the district, but due to administrative restrictions, most have resigned from the program.

QUESTION: Why not re-establish a volunteer program, geared to serve the outlying areas by providing preliminary and basic support to the professional firefighters?

In the future, perhaps the Northern Lakes Fire District will need some increases in funding. These additional revenues could come in the form of bond elections, or MODEST tax increases, certainly not a 50 percent jump! If you cannot justify the minor benefits you would receive from this override levy, VOTE NO ON IT ON NOVEMBER 6!

Dr. Lee P. Coppess is a Hayden resident.