The Northern Lakes Fire Protection Board announced the approval of a two-year $4.5 million temporary levy proposal according to a Tuesday press release. 

The proposed two-year, temporary property tax levy rate is projected to increase to $99.26 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, a $5.88 increase from the current $93.38 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. 

“The main need for this levy is staffing,” said Northern Lakes Fire District Chief Kevin Croffoot during a press conference Tuesday. 

Northern Lakes currently employs 61 line-firefighters and staffs three firefighter stations, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If the levy is not passed, the district could lose 21 positions and would reduce down to two staffed stations.  

NLFD pointed to growth and increasing expenses as the cause of the district's need for a new levy. NFLD numbers show that emergency calls are up 40% since 2019, with the district projecting that it will reach 7,000 emergency responses this year. 

“A lot of it has to do with the growth in our fire district. We are the fastest growing district in Kootenai County,” said Chris Larson, deputy fire marshal with Northern Lakes Fire District. 

NLFD numbers show the district's growth coming mostly from Rathdrum, with growth increasing 43.6% from 2020 to 2025. Hayden also grew around 11.6% in the same time period.

NLFD said that approximately 30% of all of Kootenai County’s growth is happening within its fire district, which encompasses 108 square miles of land and includes the cities of Hayden, Rathdrum, Garwood, Hayden Lake, Twin Lakes and Garwood. 

The district also said that a fourth station is currently under development in the Garwood area and is expected to open in spring 2027 but plans for staffing could be affected if the levy does not pass.

“It’s really important that we improve those response times in those areas and be able to keep that staffing,” said Larson. 

Development into the Garwood area is important to NLFD, calling the area “crucial.” It said it has heard from homeowners who are unable to get insurance due to their distance from a fire station. Currently, the Northern Lakes Fire Station at the Coeur d’Alene Public Airport, and the Hayden station serve the Garwood area. 

“Improved response times up in that area is going to be dramatic and will help those folks up there,” said Croffoot.  

NLFD said that protective equipment and mechanical costs are up but the department is doing its “due diligence” to keep costs low. It pointed to elevated fuel and electricity costs and said that fire industry reports show turnout gear and fire apparatus have increased in cost. 

As part of their efforts to keep costs low, Chief Croffoot announced the department was bypassing a raise so the department can focus on “operational needs." 

“The district and the union have agreed, and nobody is taking a pay raise this year,” said Croffoot. 

He called the resolution “astronomical” and said it shows “where their dedication is.” 

Croffoot also said the department is looking into learning how to repair its own SCBAs and turnouts to save not only money, but time. 

Residents can check to see their exact property tax cost increase from the levy using a tax calculator on the Northern Lakes Fire District website. Croffoot said that if anyone has questions, they can call, email or visit with Northern Lakes Fire administration. 

“Transparency is a big thing,” said Croffoot. “Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.” 

Info: https://northernlakesfire.com/