LEVY: Devil in the details

If you live in the Northern Lakes Fire District, you will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed $1.2 million permanent tax levy on May 15. A front-page article in The Press on March 27 stated that a 28 percent increase in population over the last decade has spurred an increase in calls for medical assistance and firefighting and therefore the district needs more of our tax dollars. This reason is also stated on the Northern Lakes website. Looking at this on the surface, it seems to be a rational argument. But, let’s look under the covers and see if a tax increase should be approved.

First of all, everyone should be aware that when growth occurs, a taxing district gets increased taxes for that growth. For example, in 2012 the Northern Lakes Fire District collected $3,649,274 in property taxes. Five short years later, they collected $4,685,988 or an increase of 28.4 percent. So yes, they are seeing growth, but what they are not stating is that they have been richly compensated for that growth.

Second, what they are proposing is truly outrageous. They are asking for more than a 25 percent increase in your taxes in one swoop! So, the $4,685,988 would jump $1.2 million to more than $5,885,988. And not just for one year, but it would become the new base and growth would be added to it in the coming years. In 10 years they will collect, not counting growth, an additional $12 million. If you have property that has a taxable value of $300,000 for example, you will see your taxes go up about $108 per year. Many of our neighbors are already living paycheck to paycheck.

Third, the Northern Lakes Fire District has taken the maximum 3 percent tax increase, not including growth, for every year of their existence. Imagine if you were a small businessman or a retiree and you were guaranteed to get 3 percent more every year regardless of your performance.

In summary, please go to the polls and vote. We can’t let this levy succeed.

GLEN K. SEELY

Coeur d’Alene