HF 1357

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/07/2013 02:14pm

A bill for an act
relating to taxation; authorizing the creation of an Isanti Area Joint Operating
Fire District.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin ISANTI AREA JOINT OPERATING FIRE DISTRICT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Agreement. new text end

new text begin The city of Isanti together with one or more of the towns
of Athens, Stanford, Bradford, Isanti, and Oxford may, by action of their city council and
town boards, establish the Isanti Area Joint Operating Fire District. The district shall
provide fire protection services throughout its territory and may exercise all the powers of
the city and towns that relate to fire protection anywhere within its territory. Any other
contiguous town or statutory city may join the district with the agreement of the cities
and towns that comprise the district at the time of its application to join by majority vote
of the district board. Action to join the district may be taken by the city council or town
board of the city or town.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The district board shall consist of one elected member
appointed by the city council or town board of each city or town in the district. One
additional member shall also be appointed by the Isanti Fire District Board, which must be
the chief of the Isanti Fire District or the chief's designee. Each member appointed by the
city council or town board has individual voting authority. The chief of the Isanti Fire
District shall provide advice only and does not have individual voting authority.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Officers. new text end

new text begin The fire district shall elect from among its voting members a
chair and vice-chair. The chair shall act as the presiding officer at all fire district meetings
unless the chair is not present, in which case the vice-chair shall preside.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Terms. new text end

new text begin Members shall serve one-year terms ending the first Monday in
January. Vacancies on the board must be filled in the same manner as the appointment
of its original members.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Meetings. new text end

new text begin The fire district shall hold monthly meetings at a time and
location to be set by the fire district, with notice provided under Minnesota Statutes,
section 13D.04. The district may, by resolution, determine to hold more or fewer meetings,
or to change the location or time of meetings.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Tax. new text end

new text begin The fire district may impose a property tax on real property located
within the district in an amount sufficient to discharge its operating expenses and debt
payable in each year. The tax must be disregarded in the calculation of any levies or
limits on levies provided by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 275, or any other law. A city or
town that joins the district may not incur expenses or debt for fire protection services for
territory included in the district.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Withdrawal. new text end

new text begin Upon two years' notice, a city or town may withdraw from
the fire district. Its territory shall remain subject to taxation for debt incurred prior to
its withdrawal.
new text end