Here are answers to the outstanding questions asked by Hauser Fire patrons regarding the levy reset on May 21. These were pulled from conversations, emails, and the public meeting on March 21, mainly. More info is also on our home page, including the letter from Chief Neils and Fast Facts flyer (summaries) mailed in early March.
1) Patrons have asked for more budget details and how the proposed money will be spent.
2) Why is the budget increasing by so much; what is different?
First, there are three new things added:
1) Equipment and apparatus replacement for which we need to save $220,000 per year instead of $30,000.
2) Two paid staff have been sufficient for over twenty years but now another is required.
3) With increased levy revenue, Hauser Fire can afford to realize/capture impact fees and reduce the taxpayer burden. $500,000 of the estimated budget is for station planning, one-third paid for by impact fees.
Second, the budget, which is limited to 3% increases yearly, has not kept pace with increasing costs, inflation and demand for services.
3) Why didn’t Hauser Fire ask for a levy reset 10 years ago; was it mismanagement?
District leaders, at that time, had other revenue available to them and did not feel they needed to go to the public for a budget reset. Federal and state grants were much more prevalent and less restrictive years ago. The department was successful in being awarded those grants.
Chief Neils is still pursuing grants and we have been awarded $235,000 in grants since August of 2020. These grants have funded a breathing air compressor, new SCBA tanks, wildland equipment and portable radios.
4) Why do you need paid staff at a volunteer department?
Volunteer departments still require paid staff.
While many recurring tasks are completed by volunteers, all organizations require dedicated staff to maintain daily operations. These staff help maintain federal and state certifications, manage personnel, manage facilities and equipment, and do fiscal planning and grant writing. Additionally, administrative tasks are legally required such as taxes, audits, notices, minutes, payroll, etc.
Hauser fire commissioners are also volunteers and do not receive any compensation. Other districts have paid commissioners.
5) Wouldn’t someone else show up if Hauser isn’t there (FIRE)?
Not necessarily. Mutual aid agreements exist only if Hauser Fire exists.
Agreements exist for neighboring departments to aid each other with medical and fire emergencies. No individual department has all the resources to cover every call. All districts rely on their neighboring districts for help.
– Agreements are renewed as frequently as every year.
– Hauser Fire is the first response in Hauser. Additional help is dependent on availability of other district’s resources.
Annexation is a multi-step, multi-year process.
– See Chapter 14 – Idaho State Legislature – Idaho Code governing Fire Protection Districts
– See Annexation Information – Kootenai County Fire & Rescue (kootenaifire.com)
– Many areas of Hauser would not qualify for annexation due to lack of all-season access
6) Wouldn’t someone else show up if Hauser isn’t there (MEDICAL)?
Hauser is a part of KCEMSS. KCEMSS would continue to respond.
Response times would be impacted due to factors such as ambulance availability and distance from the scene.
7) Doesn’t a growing population mean Hauser Fire’s budget grows along with it?
By law, Hauser Fire’s levied property tax budget (tax burden) can only grow by 3% per year. There are three factors to understand here: The tax burden (1) (Hauser Fire’s levy) is divided over the tax base (2) (the total taxable value of properties in the district), so the larger the tax base, the lower the levy rate (3). The tax base and levy rates can fluctuate up and down each year but the tax burden does not change much–it’s limited to 3%—even if the population or district grows exponentially.
See Idaho State Statute link – Section 63-802 – Idaho State Legislature
8) How is my insurance affected by Hauser Fire operations?
Every insurance company has different requirements and specifications.
Please contact your agent for discussion of their specific requirements.
9) What are impact fees and why does Hauser Lake need to capture them?
Hauser Fire began collecting “development impact fees” in November 2022 from developers/builders in accordance with Idaho Impact Fee Law designed to provide property tax relief.
Hauser Fire collects $3666 per new dwelling, no matter the home square footage.
Hauser Fire has collected $128,310 in impact fees (Nov 2022 to March 2024). So far we have only been able to spend $8,650.
Impact fees can only be spent on specific Capital Improvements (items that last more than 10 years) as listed in the Capital Improvement Plan.
A portion of those projects must also be paid with money from Hauser Fire.
If not spent appropriately, the fees must be refunded to the payers within eight (8) years.
For more information:
– See Idaho Statute regarding Development Impact Fees, Section 67-8204 https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title67/t67ch82/sect67-8204/
– See the HLFPD Impact Fee Study and Capital Improvement Plan. See p14-15 for Growth related capital improvements.
9) What happens if the levy reset does not pass?
We will continue to provide services for as long as the budget allows.
We will have to come back to the patrons more frequently for additional funds.
Page published April 17, 2024.
Hauser Fire 