Spirit Lake Fire Protection District voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve a permanent tax levy replacing the district’s current temporary levy. The proposal would generate $785,000 annually, compared with $477,000 from the existing levy, an increase of $308,000.
Spirit Lake Levy Would Fund Staffing
The district provides fire protection and medical services within a 120-square-mile area covering parts of Kootenai and Bonner counties, along with Spirit Lake, Blanchard, Spirit Lake East, Stoneridge, Hoodoo Valley and Spirit Valley.
District officials are seeking to increase staffing from 10 firefighters and emergency medical technicians to 12. The additional personnel would support the Blanchard station and allow four firefighters on each shift.
Idaho Property Tax Cost Estimate
The estimated annual cost is $32.70 for each $100,000 of taxable assessed property value. Using a $590,000 median Spirit Lake home price, the estimated additional annual payment would be $62.54.
Chief Dave England said equipment and operating expenses are increasing. He described the proposed increase as significant for the district and said a new fire engine now costs more than $1 million.
England and the Spirit Lake Fire Protection District support approval of the permanent levy on Nov. 3.