POST FALLS — Kootenai County Fire and Rescue has never sought voter approval for a permanent levy override but is asking for additional funding on Election Day.

Interim Chief Pete Holley said the $6 million permanent override levy will help with department stability and keep up with population growth. 

“It's a big ask, but it’s a necessary one to maintain what we’re doing,” Holley said. “In this situation, we elected to do a permanent override and it just resets the levy rate moving forward.” 

The levy funds would also help the fire department sustain staffing levels. 

Holley detailed how the purchase of the same emergency vehicle has jumped about $400,000 in a few years, calling the cost increase “unsustainable” for the department.

“We purchased a fire engine in 2019 for about $640,000, which is a lot of money. If I was to order that same engine now, it would cost just over a million dollars for virtually the same spec, everything the same,” Holley said. “Our budget doesn’t grow by $400,000-500,000 a year.” 

Holley said it’s time to take it to the community to vote. 

State changes have impacted KCFR’s ability to collect tax revenue. In the past, population growth paid for growth, but today, growth can only pay for a percentage of the fire department’s budget. 

“We absolutely want to be good stewards of the dollars that people are trusting us with,” Holley said.      

The permanent override levy requires two-thirds voter approval to pass.  

“It’s tough to ask them to dig into their pockets, they’re feeling inflation the same way we are. It’s just not sustainable and we want to continue to provide the service we’re providing,” Holley said.