Kootenai County Fire District Seeks $5.2M Levy Vote in May

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue is returning to voters with a scaled-back levy proposal after its $6 million permanent override fell short in November, placing a two-year, $5.2 million-per-year measure on the May 19 ballot that requires only a simple majority to pass.

The district announced the proposal on March 18. If approved, KCFR would be authorized to collect up to $5.2 million annually for two fiscal years beginning Oct. 1, with funds directed toward staffing, equipment and operational needs across the service district. The estimated cost to taxpayers would be $37.77 per year for every $100,000 of taxable assessed property value.

The November measure collected 5,971 yes votes, representing 62% support, against 3,697 no votes. Because a permanent levy override in Idaho requires two-thirds of the vote to pass, the measure failed despite majority backing. The new two-year proposal carries a lower threshold: a simple majority.

Fire Chief Pete Holley pointed to community feedback as the driving force behind the redesigned proposal. "People understand our core fire and EMS services, but they also want clearer information about the full range of services we provide, how those services are funded and what this measure would mean for taxpayers," he said. "We also heard that many residents were more open to a temporary levy than a permanent one."

The funding pressure stems from a structural constraint in Idaho law that caps property tax budget growth for fire districts at roughly 3% per year, a ceiling KCFR says has failed to keep pace with rising call volumes, personnel costs and equipment expenses driven by growth in Kootenai County. The temporary levy would allow the district to supplement that constrained base budget without permanently altering its levy rate.

The November proposal had estimated a taxpayer cost of approximately $43.58 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value annually. The May measure's lower per-year authorization produces the reduced $37.77 estimate.

"We strive to listen to the community we serve, and that feedback helped inform the proposal voters will see on the May ballot," Holley said.

KCFR has not sought a levy override in its 25-year history prior to the November attempt, according to statements made by district officials during an October presentation to the Post Falls City Council. At that meeting, officials cited House Bill 389, reductions in levy rates over the past decade, and tax revenue lost to urban renewal districts as compounding factors behind the funding gap.

Ballots will go to voters within the KCFR service district on May 19.