Curley Creek Fire

Boundary County commissioners on Monday unanimously agreed to let the voters to decide whether or not property owners will pay taxes to support Curley Creek Fire Protection District.

The owners and occupants of 350 to 375 properties within the fire district will vote on the matter from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Evergreen Elementary School.

If approved, the owner of a property assessed at $100,000 will pay $110 in property taxes to the volunteer fire department.

Fire captain Earl Borer, an on-and-off member for 27 years, fears that without the tax levy the fire department will close.

“I’ve watched the department grow and I’ve watched the community grow,” Borer told commissioners during a public hearing for determining whether or not the issue should be put on the ballot. “We no longer have the ability to protect the community because of funding. If this doesn’t happen, we may as well close the doors and go home.”

The fire district currently charges property owners $75 dues annually. About 40 percent do not pay, which means the department takes in about $18,000, said treasurer Gary Nielsen.

Anyone who does not pay dues, is billed when they have a fire. During two recent fires at homes, one paid the bill, while the other did not.

If the property tax levy is approved, it would generate $59,000 annually for the fire department, Nielsen said.

“It’s just getting harder and harder to make ends meet,” said firefighter Bruce Reoch, who has been with the department on and off for 33 years. “I would like to see everyone pay so it would be spread throughout the whole community.”

Resident Gene Tashoff spoke against the matter being placed on the ballot.

“I’m not against the fire department,” Tashoff said during the hearing. “I’m against putting it on the tax roles. We have people on fixed incomes. You’re forcing them to be a member of something they may not want to be a member of.”

Carl Carbone also spoke against the taxing district.

“Part of living in a rural area is discontinuing city services,” Carbone said. “I give up a little bit. I accept that.”