EDITORIAL: Fire department building bond support

Anytime you ask homeowners to pay more property taxes, there will be skeptics. And on that note, convincing a community to support a $16.4 million bond is no easy task. 

But we give the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department credit for doing all it can to earn your trust and deserve your vote for a general obligation bond in May. 

Led by Fire Chief Tom Greif, the department is in the early stages of what it calls an education campaign so citizens know what is being asked for, why it is needed, and what it will cost them.

It is being as informative and as transparent as possible. And as they are the experts in this field, we ask residents to listen closely.

Firefighters are doing their part to get word out with open houses, presentations to groups and a new website, cdafirebond2025.org, that contains pretty much everything and anything you might like to know about this GOB.

Here's a summary what is at stake:

The $16.4 million, 10-year bond will go to voters May 20. Funds will go to replace an aging fleet and equipment; and remodel, expand or rebuild three stations. 

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed bond levy is a tax of $16.07 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions, according to the fire department.

Two open houses are scheduled, April 9 and April 23. Both are at 6 p.m. at Station No. 2 on Ramsey Road. 

We also give credit to Coeur d'Alene residents for their history of supporting GOBs, which need a super majority, 66 2/3%, to pass when voters have their say May 20.

The city ran its first public safety general obligation bond for $7 million in 2005, and it received 74% approval.   

In 2015, 85% of Coeur d’Alene voters supported a $6 million, 10-year public safety bond to fund capital expenditures for the police and fire departments. It replaced the 10-year bond approved by voters in 2005 and ends in August 2025. 

Early indications are this bond will pass. A survey in February found most residents would say yes to the bond.

But the fire department isn't assuming anything, and neither should you.

We encourage residents to visit the new website and attend the open houses. Give your ear to the fire department and let them hear your voice.

With the fire department's continued efforts to share information with this community, this bond will receive the support it deserves.