Correction: The potential tax rates in the article should be 0.00102% and 0.0012%, not .102% and .12%.

BONNERS FERRY — Property owners in the North Bench Fire District could soon vote on whether to create a tax-based fire district, following discussion at the department’s annual meeting.  

Previously approved via a 4-1 vote, the proposal will need to gain 25 signatures on a petition to qualify for the November ballot, which would then require a 50% plus one vote for approval. The district also needs to have their ballot language done for the proposal by Aug. 28.  

Several answers to anticipated questions were prepared before the event. One addressed the exact tax rate the department could institute. The maximum rate is 0.24%.   

“To meet the needs of the current approved budget, we would need to set a rate of 0.102%,” the statement said. “To build a new station and repair or replace existing stations, we would need to set a rate of 0.12%.”  

“A home with a $500,000 assessed value, minus the $125,000 homeowner’s exemption, would pay $382.50 per year at the 0.102% rate (not accounting for timber or agricultural exemptions), or $450 per year at the 0.12% rate.”   

Other funding options were also discussed at the Feb. 28 annual meeting, including selling part of a six-acre parcel the department owns. Another possibility discussed is to assist the state and the U.S. Forest Service in responding to wildland fires during the fire season as a way to pull in additional funds. 

In addition, the department announced that it will host three town halls to discuss the future of the district. The first will be held on Friday, March 6, followed by meetings April 10 and May 8. All meetings are at 6 p.m. at NBFD Station 1. 

North Bench board president Jim Hill said several people had questions about who would vote and contribute to the district’s future. 

“The election would be only in the North Bench District,” Hill said. “The commissioners for the tax-based district would be elected only from the North Bench District, and local voters would still have control.” 

About 52% of property owners in the North Bench area have paid their dues this year, in line with previous years. 

“It's a matter of personal choice if people want to join or not,” Hill said. “One of the big advantages of a tax-based district is that the cost would be shared by everybody.” 

According to a question answered by the district, funding problems have persisted since North Bench’s inception. 

“The district has been severely underfunded since its founding in 1977,” the statement said. “The last five years have seen unprecedented inflation. As a result, we are unable to properly maintain existing equipment and facilities, let alone expand services to meet the demand of the county’s largest district by population, residential and commercial density.” 

Hill said the department recognized its everyday heroes at the annual meeting. 

“We introduced all of the volunteers,” Hill said. “Those people need to be celebrated because, for all the training and responses they provide, they receive a small stipend that barely covers their gas to show up at the fire station. They’re really the heroes here.” 

Two board seats were filled at the meeting as well. Aaron Rutherford was re-elected as secretary. Greg Mead stepped down as a board member, and Sam Wolf was elected in an uncontested vote to fill the seat.