The North Bench Fire District Board (NBFDB) needs transparent leadership to address its funding shortfall. President Jim Hill recently stated the district’s annual expenses are $220K, yet only half of parcel owners pay voluntary dues. He plans to raise dues 20-percent to $175 per parcel, projecting $240K in revenue — still based on partial participation.
Hill also suggests a property tax of 0.24-percent of market value, which would generate $1.6M annually. But he doesn’t clarify the district’s actual budget need—is it $220K, $350K, or $1M? To meet the current $220K expense, the tax rate would only need to be 0.00035-percent, not 0.24-percent. That’s a major difference for taxpayers.
Why should homeowners pay more than commercial or industrial parcels, which carry higher fire risk?
And why base fees on market value when protection is focused on structures?
Hill must also define service expectations at each funding level. Currently, it seems NBFDB responds in time to prevent fire spread but not to save the original structure. If dues or taxes increase, will response times improve? Will service guarantees change?
If NBFDB won’t address the 50-percent who don’t pay dues and instead seek a tax, it must first define the minimum budget needed to deliver the level of service taxpayers expect. Proposing the highest tax rate without clear justification fails the transparency test. The Board must do more to earn public trust before pursuing a tax-based solution.
Jon-Paul Mickle
Moyie Springs