Fire levy in limbo

Voters leaned toward supporting Northern Lake Fire District’s $2 million permanent override levy at midnight on Tuesday, but more support was needed for the measure to pass.

The levy had 60% of votes in favor at press time, with 37% of precincts reported.

It needs 66 2/3 support to pass.

When the district formed in 2000, it received about 670 calls a year.

Today, it receives about 5,500 calls at stations in Hayden and Rathdrum and is trending toward 6,500 next year.

NLFD Chief Pat Riley said Northern Lakes simply can’t keep up with that demand with the resources currently available.

Levy funds would go toward 12 firefighters/EMTs and two support staff for a new fire station that would be built with capital reserve funds between Hayden and Rathdrum.

“We’re relying on outside agencies to come in,” Riley said. “Another fire staton would be seriously beneficial to our response time in our district.”

Without levy funds, Riley said the fire district will have to evaluate what services it provides.

“We cannot continue to bear this increase in response with the staff we have,” he said. “It’s very tough for me as a fire chief to say that, but this is a crucial time in our department.”