Fire & Rescue seeks voter support

Voters will decide the future of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue’s facilities next month.

A $14.9 million bond is on the May 18 ballot, which would go toward relocating two existing fire stations and building a fifth in an effort to keep up with the region's growth.

“We get that growth is an ugly word right now,” KCFR Chief Chris Way said. “We understand that. The question we get about growth the most is, ‘Well, as fire chief, can’t you just stop growth?’ I’d love to have that kind of power, but that’s just not realistic. The only thing we can do about growth is to make sure new homes meet fire code.”

Way said the influx of new residents is stretching KCFR thin.

“When you look at Station 4 by the Kroc Center, that station was first built in 1974 and opened in 1975,” he said. “Back in 1975, there was nothing north of I-90. Today, it takes us 10 minutes to get to Dalton Gardens.”

The bond would enable Station 4 to move to Kathleen and Fourth, near the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. Way said the new facility would give Station 4 better coverage over its reach, which stretches to Dalton Gardens, Fernan and east of Coeur d’Alene.

The bond would also dedicate funds to relocate Station 3 — which sits at 16th and Highway 41 — to the west side of the highway on Prairie Avenue.

“That would allow us to better cover our north and west sides of our district,” Way said.

The rule of thumb for one station for every 10,000 residents dictates the need for a fifth fire station, as well, Way said. If approved, a fifth station would be built on East Seltice Way in Post Falls, next to the Army National Guard training center, which KCFR also uses to train.

Way said that once the new facilities are built, KCFR will sell off the old locations’ assets to help pay for future facilities. He added that the collection of impact fees in some municipalities will help pay for future growth.

If voters approve, the $14.9 million bond would expire after 10 years at an estimated 1.23-percent annual interest rate, making the final payoff at close to $15.9 million by the end of 2031.

Based on current economic conditions, the cost increase to property owners would be $24 per $100,000 of assessed value.

There is no current KCFR bond on the books.

“This is our last bond,” he said. “That’s our goal. We should have impact fees paying for growth from this point on. But this bond is not about new growth. This bond is more about meeting current needs.”

Those needs, Way said, have been exacerbated by the condition of some of the facilities. Station 4, for example, is experiencing sewer and other infrastructure issues that, should the bond fail, would cost upward of $1 million to repair.

A line item on the bond would dedicate roughly $1.2 million toward the purchase of a new ladder engine, one that would include a 107-foot ladder.

“We’re seeing these bigger buildings and high rises get built,” he said. “Our 75-foot ladders won’t reach anymore. There’s a saying: You can reach 75 feet with a 100-foot ladder, but you can’t reach 100 feet with a 75-foot ladder.”

Brent Regan, chair of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, said the group enthusiastically supports the bond, particularly after a presentation from Way in front of committee members.

“He made a persuasive argument for the need for additional equipment and facilities and how that investment would benefit the county,” Regan said. “Subsequently, the committee passed a resolution in support of the levy and are making the recommendation that voters support the levy.”

The department will make a similar presentation to the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee in May. Evan Koch, who chairs the Kootenai County Democrats, said that while he wouldn't presume to speak for his party before the presentation, he added that he understands the need for the bond.

"Personally, I believe infrastructure should keep pace with development," Koch said. "Our county is expanding rapidly, so this levy is probably well-justified."

Koch said it's up to the people to provide first responders with the tools to protect the community.

"The best 'tool' available to first responders is community trust," Koch said. "Communities should trust that first responders know what they need to do their job successfully, and provide them with adequate funding."