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The Sagle Fire District took an override levy off the ballot last fall after it seems to have mislead many that owners of improved properties are paying taxes on their land to Sagle Fire while unimproved properties are getting a free ride.

No, no, no, no, no. Improved land is taxed the same by Sagle Fire as unimproved land — not at all. That’s right, folks — until now Sagle Fire can only collect taxes on the structures (improvements) that it is required to protect. County Ordinance 373 (passed in 1999) exempts all land (improved or unimproved from taxation by the district.

That will change Tuesday if SFD and Chief Ron Stocking have their way. County commissioners will have to decide whether to approve Sagle Fire’s request and rescind Ordinance 373 after hearing from the public.

SFD voluntarily responds to fires on land it doesn’t tax — and can sometimes be reimbursed by the state of Idaho. By expanding its tax base into these lands, SFD will be vastly expanding its area of responsibility by many thousands of acres — far beyond its current capabilities and budget and won’t be reimbursed. This will necessitate override levies to adequately protect all properties, causing your taxes to rise drastically after a possible initial decrease.

You can send a one-page, single-spaced statement to county commissioners up until the May 31 hearing or bring comments to the hearing at the old Federal Building on Tuesday, May 31, at 5:30 p.m.

See the “Stop SFD” Facebook page for background information.

VERN SPENCER JR.

Cocolalla