The North Bench Fire Department is considering creating a taxing district for property owners in their area. In plain English, property owners pay taxes for a service whether wanted or not. Idaho Title 31, Chapter 14. Let’s say I purchase property 20 miles from the fire station, off grid cabin, access one lane dirt/gravel, trees, etc. You want to take money from me for fire protection services based on the property assessment.
It is going to burn down before the phone call is ended. If there even is one. Yet I will be required to pay for a service I neither wanted and knew would not be beneficial nor function.
The North Bench website is creative but lacks specificity. How much does the website cost? The site lists 132 fire responses, 113 car wrecks, 382 medical. No dates. So, are these numbers for one year?
Meeting minutes from a year ago? And where is the budget?
The map? Really? How many parcels will be affected? Perhaps it is time to redraw the map, use a parcel map and possibly reduce/split the district.
Property owners…your best fire defense? Common sense. Talk to your insurance. Meet your firefighters.
https://isrb.com/images/PPCandFireScores.pdf
Rosanne Smith
Moyie Springs, Idaho