Welcome to Hauser Fire

What is Hauser Fire?

The Hauser Lake Volunteer Fire Department is a volunteer fire and rescue department which began in 1952 and was established in 1976 as a fire protection district. Hauser Fire provides fire, medical and emergency response to our community of Hauser Lake, Idaho. As of January 2024, the fire department is operated by 41 members: 39 volunteers and two paid staff (a full-time chief and half-time administrator).

Why is Hauser Fire asking for a Levy Reset?

By law, Hauser Fire’s base budget from property tax revenue can grow by no more than 3% per year unless a special election is held and a new budget approved by a supermajority (66.67%) of voters.

Hauser Fire last asked for and received a reset in 2003, over 20 years ago. It’s time again because the budget has fallen behind expenses and technology.

Hauser Fire’s estimated budget shows that, without additional revenue, operating expenses will exceed the money available by 2027-2028.

Currently, Hauser Fire responds to 90% of emergency calls within 10 minutes; however, our community is on track to grow by 60% between 2021 and 2031, requiring more resources. To maintain the high level of service now and into the future, the levy would reset Hauser Fire’s annual base budget from $255,392 to $736,067.

Additional money for our district (impact fees), to help pay for growth, can be secured for our community’s benefit only if the district can provide sufficient matching funds to complete the projects.

How will the Levy Reset impact me?

If approved by voters, the levy reset will change the Hauser Fire levy from approximately $0.51 per $1,000 of assessed property value to an estimated $1.48 for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024. After the reset the 3% cap will resume as normal.

Click here to see how much tax would apply to different properties at current and proposed Hauser Fire levy rates.

Maintaining Hauser Fire’s ISRB rating keeps homeowners insurance premiums lower.

Tax dollars for Hauser Fire stay in our community and benefit residents directly.

With a financially secure fire department, we can continue to expect the same high level of service into the future.

What will the Levy Reset fund?

Maintain and enhance firefighting and EMS response as demand grows.

Replace aged apparatus and equipment, such as radios and personal protective equipment.

Increase paid personnel.

Provide funds needed to capture the impact fees available to Hauser before the money must be returned.

Preserve Hauser Fire’s favorable Idaho Survey & Rating Bureau (ISRB) insurance rating.

What happens if the Levy Reset does not pass?

Hauser Fire will continue operations even as costs and demand continue to rise, but response will likely fall behind the needs of our growing community due to limited resources and increasing demand.

Impact fees–currently being collected from new development–will have to be returned.

Opportunities for adding revenue (such as grants) and for saving money (keeping tasks in-house) will be missed without additional paid staff.

New requirements for insurance ratings may not be met, increasing homeowners insurance premiums.

Let’s talk.

Conversations are encouraged. Please contact Chief Neils or any Hauser Fire member to discuss this levy reset.

More information will be shared online, by mail, and at in-person events.