POST FALLS — The Kootenai County Fire and Rescue two-year levy passed at the polls with 62% yes votes to 38% no votes on Tuesday.

Fire Chief Pete Holley said he appreciated the community rallying around public safety.  

“It speaks to us evaluating what we are doing and coming back with a palatable, more appropriate request to continue to provide the same service people have come to expect, ensuring the same professionalism, the same firefighters, the same service,” Holley said.  

The two-year levy requires an additional $12 to $16 per month for the average homeowner and allows the fire district to collect up to $5.2 million per year for two years, beginning in the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.   

The ballot measure needed a simple majority of voters to pass.  

The supplementary override automatically expires in 2028. 

KCFR sought more input and settled on a temporary levy after a permanent override failed with voters in November.  

Looking at time and budgetary impacts, the department recently opted to sunset its building inspections for Dalton Gardens because of the drain on personnel time and to get rid of its Hazmat program.   

“We had to say no to some programs that we’ve historically done that just didn’t make sense or align with our goals and our mission. Some of those programs we’ve just had to shed for the sake of efficiency and prioritization,” Holley said. 

KCFR responded to about 9,500 calls in 2025 compared to a mere 4,000 calls per year 10 years ago.    

Regardless of how the vote went on Tuesday, Holley said that seeking to undo the negative effects of HB 389 will be necessary to ensure that firefighting services remain funded to keep up with local growth. 

“It’s high on our priority list to do some statewide advocacy,” Holley said. “Some of the reason for we’re in the situation that we’re in is literally because of the stroke of a pen at the statehouse 400 miles away from us.” 

KCFR serves about 70,000 people in Post Falls, Dalton Gardens, Fernan Village and unincorporated areas in the county, and its coverage area is one of the largest in the state, something Holley said the department takes very seriously when it comes to affecting policy when it comes to collecting funding.  

“We have a bigger responsibility and role being one of the biggest fire districts in the state. Regardless of a yes or a no, we’re making a commitment and taking on that obligation,” Holley said.