North Bench Fire District still hasn’t justified a new property tax

On November 13, 2025, I wrote an editorial responding to comments made by North Bench Fire District (NBFD) President Jim Hill regarding a proposed new property tax. After that piece ran in the Herald, NBFD Vice President Casey West invited me to submit written questions about the concerns I raised. I did exactly that on November 17.

To this day, neither Mr. West nor Mr. Hill has provided a single response. Instead, the NBFD released
yet another set of statements from Mr. Hill in a new Herald article—conveniently timed just one week before the district’s annual meeting. Unfortunately, the article offered no new information, no answers to the questions already posed, and no evidence that the Board has done the work necessary to justify a new tax on property owners.

That silence does not inspire confidence.

NBFD has already increased membership dues, generating an additional $20,000 per year.

Mr. Hill previously stated that annual expenses were $220,000 and that, even assuming only half of members pay dues, the district would bring in roughly $240,000. By their own numbers, the district is not operating at a deficit (but I know they have significant financial issues that Mr. Hill has not adequately enumerated).

It is also important to recognize what NBFD already is: an ISO Level 5 fire department. That rating—earned through the leadership of Fire Chief Ken Baker—is exactly what we want and expect from a rural, all-volunteer department. Our next ISO evaluation is five years away.

Yet the Board has not presented a clear plan outlining what funding is required to maintain that rating or what specific needs justify a new tax.

What the Board has done — twice — is tell the media that a property tax increase is the only way forward.

But both times, they have failed to answer the most basic question: How much of a tax increase are they actually seeking?

Every dues-paying member of NBFD wants to maintain an ISO Level 5 department. What we do not have is a Board willing or able to clearly explain:

• What it costs to operate the district each year
• How much revenue dues actually generate
• What are the investments needed to maintain an ISO Level 5 department
• What the proposed tax rate would be

The clarity and quality of information have not improved since Mr. Hill’s earlier media comments.

Meanwhile, five other local fire districts have attempted to pass new property taxes in the last year. All but one were rejected by voters. The only measure that passed was a limited, two-year levy of roughly $400,000 annually—far more transparent and narrowly defined than anything NBFD has put forward.

NBFD members deserve better. I strongly encourage all members to attend the upcoming annual meeting and demand clear answers about how the Board is stewarding the district’s finances—and exactly how much of your money they intend to try and take away from you.

Jon-Paul Mickle
Moyie Springs