Northern Lakes Fire District asks voters to approve higher levy rates this fall

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — Residents in some North Idaho communities will vote on whether to increase their property taxes to support the Northern Lakes Fire District, which serves areas including Hayden, Rathdrum, Twin Lakes and Garwood.

Currently, property owners pay approximately $28.35 per year for every $100,000 of assessed property value. If the levy passes, that rate would increase to $35.88 per $100,000 of assessed value. For a homeowner with a property valued at $550,000, the increase would amount to roughly $38 annually before state exemptions apply.

Fire Chief Kevin Croffoot said the district faces the same financial pressures affecting people across the country.

“We’re suffering what everybody else in America is suffering right now — the increase of fuel, the increase of pretty much everything. We get it,” Croffoot said.

Since the last levy passed several years ago, the Northern Lakes Fire District has acquired land for a new fire station and hired additional firefighters. The district said those staffing increases have paid dividends: response times have dropped from approximately 14 minutes to between 7 and 8 minutes.

At the same time, call volume has increased. The fire district is on track to receive about 7,000 calls this year, a jump from the 5,000 calls received in 2020. Croffoot attributes the increase to population growth in the area.

If voters reject the levy, the fire district says it would be forced to lay off 21 firefighters.

“It’s a huge hit,” Croffoot said. “They become family. And that’s one big thing. They’re all brothers and sisters here, and it’s hard. You don’t want to lose your family.”

Beyond the impact on firefighters, fewer staff members could create additional problems for the community. With reduced staffing, Croffoot said firefighters’ working conditions could become more dangerous, and residents’ home insurance rates could increase. Response times would also slow down.

“Response times are crucial,” Croffoot said. “Minutes count when it comes to EMS and life. And so we want to keep providing such a high service. We’re encouraging people to get out there and vote this year.”

If approved by voters, the new tax rates would take effect next fall.