Author: Hauser Lake FPD

Fire protection district in Hauser, Idaho. Government entity.

Burning in Hauser Lake-Permit Required

Questions and answers about fires and burning in Hauser Lake.

Burn permits are required May 10 through October 20, unless otherwise posted.

Burning of yard waste, brush piles, burn barrels and some other material may be allowed with a permit. Please complete the online permit at burnpermits.idaho.gov. Paper permits are available at the fire station; please write legibly as we must read and enter them into the online system.

Cooking and warming fires are allowed without a permit and must be under three feet in diameter and less than two feet high. Please keep all fires small and avoid wet, smoky fuel.

Questions regarding permits should be directed to Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) at 208-769-1577.

When do I need a burning permit?

Permits for burning are required during the Idaho Closed Burning Season which is usually from May 10 through October 20 of each year. Recreational fires do not require a permit but can be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and no more than 2 foot high in fuel. Outside of that time frame, from October 21 to May 9 of the following year, as long as there is not a Burn Ban in effect, no permit is needed. Please note that the State of Idaho sometimes does extend the permit season beyond those dates, so this can change from time to time.

How and where can I get a permit?

Permits, when required, for hand stacked yard waste may be obtained online or at the fire station.

This the ‘self service’ online burn permit (and renewal) available as long as burning is allowed, for free, through the IDOL: burnpermits.idaho.gov

It is important that the permit holder has a permit in possession when they are burning. If you have trouble with the link, you can also still fill out a paper form, found in the white cabinet in the front of the Hauser Lake Fire Station.

All other types of permits (slash, machine stacked slash, etc.) need to be obtained from the Idaho Department of Lands, 3258 West Industrial Loop, Coeur d’Alene.

What if no one is at the fire station to issue a permit?

Please fill out the form in the white box/cabinet at the front of the fire station. Fill out two copies, one to take with you and one to leave in the box. You can also use the online link shown above to obtain a permit.

What does a permit cost?

Permits in the Hauser Lake Fire District are issued at no cost.

Will the fire department still come out if I am burning with a permit?

Even if you have a permit the fire department may still respond if called. If there is a complaint due to smoke from your fire we may have to extinguish the fire even if you have a permit.

When is burning banned?

When weather conditions dictate burning may be banned, which means no open flames of any kind. Watch for Burn Ban signs as you drive into the area for a ban notice.

Are there any other restrictions?

Yes!

  • The only items you can ever burn are wood and paper products;
  • you must call the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality at 800-633-6247 or visit their website;
  • you must have shovel and water on hand;
  • and you must be the property owner.

Page posted May 10, 2024

Yard Sale: May 16-18, 2024

Spring cleaning time! Please set aside your unwanted but reusable items for the Hauser Fire Yard Sale this May 16, 17, and 18. Bring us your gotta-go goods for repurposing and support a good cause.

Donation drop off: Thursday, May 16, between 8am and 4 pm

Shop the sale: Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18, from 9 am to 4 pm

At the sale, find vintage items, new and gently used clothing, decor, electronics, books and more. We have also brought back our popular Bake Sale so you can walk out with a dessert or snack to go with your new treasures.

Page created April 30, 2024

“It really is all about the revenue”

Late in March 2024, Hauser Fire received a very timely piece from the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association and the Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho about “Protecting the Fiscal Stability and Operational Capabilities of Idaho’s Fire Service.” It reiterates what Hauser Fire has been sharing with patrons regarding operational costs and challenges.

Click here or either image here to download the entire document.

Page created April 25, 2024

Levy Reset Questions & Answers

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.

This topic warranted an entire page of its own. Please click here to go to the page titled, “Hauser Fire’s Estimated Budgets.”

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’s Estimated Budgets

Hauser Fire District patrons have requested more budget details to better understand the reasons for the levy reset and how the proposed money would be spent. Please see below.

Estimated Budget without Levy Reset

Below is the estimated budget for Hauser Fire, as is, without the levy reset–if the levy reset fails. Without additional revenue, operating expenses will exceed the money available by 2027.

Above: Estimated Budget, As Is, Without the Levy Reset
*What is left in Savings at end of fiscal year becomes the following year’s Cash Forward.
Per most current data 4/8/24
Fiscal Year (FY) runs October 1 through September 30.

Estimated Budget with Levy Reset

Below is the estimated budget, expanded with greater detail, showing revenue and expenses based on passage of the levy reset.

Click to enlarge the table. Don’t miss the notes below.

Notes about the above estimated budget which is based on the levy reset passing:

* What’s left in Savings at end of fiscal year becomes the following year’s Cash Forward. $100,000 is the minimum cash on hand needed to cover expenses between Oct 1 and Jan 31 each year.

[1] With increased levy revenue, $500,000 is budgeted for station planning and property. $166,668 of impact fees would become realized revenue and cover one-third of that expenses ($55,556 x 3).

[2] Personnel will increase, from two to three, because more help is needed to complete all the work. We have had two paid staff since the early 2000s. Employee compensation would be raised to fair market value for our district size and location and health benefits added to attract and keep quality staff.

[3] Planned replacement of equipment and apparatus based on 10- to 30-year replacement schedule to comply with NFPA and other standards and requirements.

[4] Non-discretionary expenses include costs that can’t be delayed such as fuel, insurance, admin, audit and legal fees, consumable supplies, and 911 dispatch.

[5] Discretionary expenses are those that can be delayed such as community outreach, some equipment, repairs and maintenance, training, and volunteer incentives.

[6] Fiscal Years run October 1 through September 30.

Questions, comments, requests?

Contact Chief James Neils or Treasurer Joan Rodman 208-773-1174, email chief@hauserfire.org, admin@hauserfire.org

Please note that detailed financial statements are reviewed and discussed as a regular agenda item during monthly Fire Commissioners meetings, held the second Monday of each month at 6:30pm at the fire station unless otherwise posted. All Commissioner meetings are open to the public.

Page created/posted April 17, 2024

May 21 Election and Voter Info

Below is important election and voter information for all of us in Hauser Lake. This information and much more is at the Kootenai County website (Elections section) at https://www.kcgov.us/31/Elections.

Page last edited April 25, 2024

Breakfast with Santa 2023

Each December, the Hauser Lake Fire Department hosts this fund raising event, in memory of Shalena, to help a local family in need.

Our community of Hauser residents, plus so many neighbors and friends from near and far, came together again and showed outstanding generosity and compassion for a family in need. December 10, 2023 was the 37th Annual Shalena’s Breakfast with Santa event. We counted 1,240 attendees, not including the volunteers! On behalf of Hauser Fire, thank you, everyone.

Please enjoy these great photos from volunteer photographer Russell Phillips: https://phillipsshutterphotography.pixieset.com/2023breakfastwithsanta/

Photos courtesy Phillips Shutter Photography.

Page created December 13, 2023.

Shalena’s Breakfast with Santa, a Hauser Lake Community tradition

Each December, the Hauser Lake Volunteer Fire Department in Hauser Lake, Idaho, hosts this fun, holiday fund raising event, in memory of Shalena, to help a local family in need.

Help us spread the news and help this family by sharing the flyer each year.

The Story

Shalena
Shalena was taken by cancer but her memory lives on through this treasured community event in Hauser Lake.

Shalena’s Breakfast with Santa is an annual fundraiser and community-building event sponsored by the Hauser Lake Volunteer Fire Department. The event is held on the second Sunday of each December. Over 1,000 people are served each year; attendance increases steadily as more and more friends and neighbors discover this terrific event as a way to get into the holiday spirit. Click here for public comments about this great event.

  • What: Community fundraiser which includes a raffle, visits and photos with Santa Claus, and a fantastic breakfast served by the fire fighters with help from their families, friends, and 4-H groups
  • Why: Proceeds help a local family with a child who suffers from a serious, often terminal disease.
  • When: Second Sunday in December, from 7 am to 1 pm.
  • Where: The Hauser Lake Fire Station at 10728 N. Hauser Lake Rd., Hauser, Idaho
  • Served: All-you-can-eat sausage, eggs, pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, orange juice, coffee and more
  • How much: A suggested donation of $3 per person or $15 for an entire family

How Breakfast with Santa Started

Each December, the Hauser Lake Fire Department hosts this fund raising event to help a local family in need. John and Betty Mobbs started the event in 1985 when they worked to raise money to help alleviate medical bills and financial distress for the family of a Hauser Lake volunteer firefighter, Gary, whose daughter was diagnosed with cancer.

Shalena lost her battle but her memory lives on with the Breakfast. Shalena’s Breakfast With Santa has become an annual tradition within the community of Hauser, Idaho. With help from area businesses and North Idaho citizens, proceeds go to a family with a child diagnosed with a serous illness. The children’s illnesses are often terminal.

See also the 2001 interview with Gary Mobbs about Breakfast with Santa.

Videos

khq-screenshot-400w

Thanks to KHQ channel 6 for letting us share this fun, 2 minute video with you. KHQ Channel 6 did a little story about Breakfast with Santa on the event’s 25th anniversary. Gary Mobbs and Lisa Wendle are interviewed.

Page (timeless BWS page) created November 22, 2023