FIRE LEVY: Tell taxpayers what it will cost

Believe we need to shine a brighter light on the Fire Department’s need for upgraded equipment and facilities… and its partners Zion and Portman Square.

Zion is a bank. Its website reads “we work tirelessly to help our clients resolve any financial concerns in their efforts to achieve long term financial sustainability.” Take away…they are in the business of issuing AAA municipal obligation bonds. Portman Square’s website reads “we are a strategic communications firm…empowering clients to overcome challenges and shaping public opinion.” Take away… they shape public opinion.

Together they would seem to be a solution looking for a problem. Portman’s survey will likely “shape opinion” that the Fire Departments needs are justified. Zion will remedy the problem by issuing municipal bond. Problem identified, problem solved…or so it would seem.

The obvious BUT IGNORED is the hit taxpayers will face on their property tax bill. The Fire Department estimates the cost of upgrades of equipment and facilities is $16.5 million “for purposes of the survey only” but states that the cost to individual taxpayers has not been determined!

I’m guessing the City Finance Office could come up with a reliable estimate of a residents property tax increase in under 30 minutes.

I, and likely every CDA resident is waiting…clocks ticking.

ROBERT CLIFF

Coeur d’Alene