Property owners in the northern fringes of the Northern Lakes Fire Protection District recently experienced an increase in insurance premiums after a state agency raised the district’s fire rating within their coverage area.

In a notification to the fire district, the Idaho Surveying and Rating Bureau (ISRB) said it adjusted the rating from an 8 to a 9 “due to Northern Lakes Fire Protection District closing three fire stations.” The area affected includes about 50 land owners.

However, Northern Lakes Fire Chief Pat Riley said the district has not closed any previously staffed fire stations.

The facilities referred to by the ISRB are used only to store reserve equipment “and were never staffed or utilized for responses,” Riley said.

While district officials take issue with the rating reclassification, the chief said it demonstrates the need for improved services, which is why the district is seeking voter approval in May of an $850,0000 permanent override levy to fund six additional full-time firefighters.

Last year, Northern Lakes Fire District voters rejected a similar $1.2 million override levy, prompting district officials to reduce the request this time around. The measure needs 66 percent approval for passage. The special election is May 21.

If approved, the measure would cost property owners within the district an additional $20.70 per $100,000 in taxable property value per year, Riley said.

While the Northern Lakes levy would support staffing in the north part of its district, Riley said all patrons would benefit from passage of the measure.

“The No. 1 goal is to respond in a better capacity to all citizens in our service areas,” Riley said. “And another true benefit would be to keep insurance premiums down districtwide.”

The Northern Lakes Fire Protection District covers about 108 square miles with about 45,000 patrons in the greater Hayden/Rathdrum areas that are not served by municipal fire departments.