POST FALLS - Kootenai County Fire and Rescue's fiscal 2013 budget has no tax increase.

Commissioners with the agency that serves Post Falls, Dalton Gardens, Fernan Village, Stateline, Wolf Lodge and Huetter approved a $7.29 million budget on Wednesday night.

"The board realizes times are tough and we have to live within our means," Commissioner Keith Hutcheson said. "We are proud of the staff for stepping up and thinking outside the box during these challenging times."

The district's assessed valuation from the county earlier this month showed a 6.42 percent decrease, requiring staff to trim $292,000 from the proposed budget due to declining revenue.

"There wasn't a department that didn't go untouched," Chief Warren Merritt said. "We deferred on staff vehicles, but didn't compromise with personal safety equipment.

"There will also be no diminished fire protection service."

The cuts came from insurance premiums that were negotiated down, electing to not replace an older snow plow and postponing modifications to a fire station.

Outside training was also cut with the exception of exercises that are state or federally funded.

No new positions are being added to the department.

Included in the budget were: computer upgrades in fire engines ($77,768), training center improvements ($143,366) and protection equipment ($51,000).

"We wanted to make sure what we have is in good working order," Merritt said.

KCFR received $152,000 from Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services to staff a second ambulance with a paramedic in Post Falls.

With $458,765 in one-time money generated from the East Post Falls Urban Renewal District this year, the agency obtained self-contained breathing apparatus equipment and funded paving, fencing and drainage improvements at the training facility on Seltice Way.

"We've tried to be fiscally conservative, don't have any debt, bonds are paid off and we try to operate within the budget," Commissioner Joe Doellefeld said.