SF 1208

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 04/03/2013 09:13am

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, and one or more of the townships 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. The
district shall be governed by a board, which shall exercise the authority of the district and
manage its affairs, including appointment of a fire chief and such other actions as it deems
appropriate. 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. Each
member appointed by the city council or town board will have individual voting authority.
The chief or designee of the district may serve as a non-voting member of the board.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Officers. new text end

new text begin The district shall elect from among its voting members a chair
and vice chair. The chair shall act as the presiding officer at all district board 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 shall be filled in the manner as 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 board shall hold monthly meetings at a time and location to
be set by the board, with notice provided in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
13D.04. The district may, by board resolution, determine to hold more or fewer meetings,
or to change the location and or time of the meetings.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Tax. new text end

new text begin The district may impose a property tax on real property in the district
in an amount sufficient to discharge its operating expenses and debt payable in each year.
The tax shall 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
district. Its territory shall remain subject to taxation for debt incurred prior to its withdrawal.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Nullification of prior joint powers agreement. new text end

new text begin If the fire district is
established in subdivision 1, then the Isanti Area Joint Operating Fire District joint
powers agreement made effective in 2005 is hereby nullified and shall be of no further
force or effect.
new text end