HAYDEN - Same request, different date.

The Northern Lakes Fire District on Nov. 6 will float a permanent override levy of $1.6 million to voters in its district, which includes Hayden, Hayden Lake, Rathdrum, Twin Lakes and Garwood.

To the owner of a $200,000 home with a homeowner's exemption, approval would mean a $64 annual increase in taxes or $5.25 per month based on today's property values. A super majority (67 percent) is needed for the proposal to pass.

Northern Lakes voters overwhelming turned down the same proposal in May with about 70 percent declining the request.

Why bring it back?

"We don't believe that the primary gave as good of an indication (of voter feelings) as the general will," said Jim Lyon, Northern Lakes spokesman. "We believe the general election gives the opportunity to have the opinion voiced by the majority of the constituents that the primary didn't allow. We considered adjusting the (levy amount), but several years went into developing this plan and we didn't want to burden the taxpayers too much.

"This is not a spontaneous plan. We believe this fiscal plan is for the well being of Northern Lakes or there will be a decrease in service."

The funding, as with the previous proposal, would allow the district to implement a 15-year plan to construct a third station north of Hayden in four to six years, provide staffing for the site, improve an existing training facility and provide vehicle and equipment replacement programs. The funding would not go toward salary increases.

"The commissioners and officers went back and reviewed the plan to see where cuts could be made, but it was determined that there are no bells and whistles," said Lyon, adding that the plan was developed by an independent firm, not the district. "The plan was designed to make the district fiscally sound and healthy.

"We need more boots on the ground to meet future growth so we won't have to come back to voters for 15 years."

Lyon said the district has to often rely on mutual aid from neighboring districts with just two stations.

While the district has had tax increases - agencies are allowed to bump taxes up to 3 percent per year under law - May was the first time that Northern Lakes went to voters to ask for a levy hike since the district formed 11 years ago. During that time, the district has had a 159 percent increase in calls for service and a 49 percent increase in population.

The last time Rathdrum voters had been pitched a fire levy was 1996, when it had its own rural department, and the last time Hayden voters were floated a proposal was 1991.

If the levy is approved, Northern Lakes' budget would be increased from $4.84 million to $6.45 million. Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, which is comparable in size to Northern Lakes, has a budget of $7.67 million.

"Kudos to KCFR for having a plan in place many years ago," Lyon said. "They are strong and we're trying to reflect those planning strategies."

Northern Lakes' plan calls for adding three personnel per year until a total of 12 are on board to staff the new station.

Northern Lakes' new station in Rathdrum didn't increase taxes. It was funded with a grant, money that had been saved to improve the facility and a land donation from BNSF Railway. While the new station will serve the future and has the standards for being a manned site that the previous building didn't have, a third station in the district will still be needed to meet future growth and demand on the north side of the district.

"We can't continue to provide the same level of service if we don't see an increase in the levy," Lyon said.

He said many districts also have a vehicle and equipment replacement program, which Northern Lakes doesn't have.

"Some of our equipment is seemingly more in the shop than on the street, and that's not cost-effective," Lyon said.

He said that an engine the district recently received is being leased, which isn't optimal fiscally due to paying high interest.

"In the long run, it's costing us more," Lyon said.

A Northern Lakes newsletter with information on the levy will be available this weekend at Rathdrum Days and next week during Hayden Days. Town hall meetings on the levy will be scheduled at the stations in Hayden and Rathdrum in October.

For more information, call 772-5711 or visit www.northernlakesfire.com.