SF 1317

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:19am

A bill for an act
relating to taxation; establishing a fire and ambulance special taxing district.

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

Section 1.

new text begin FIRE AND AMBULANCE SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Agreement. new text end

new text begin Cloquet and Perch Lake Township, by resolution of
their city council or township board, may establish the Cloquet Area Fire and Ambulance
Taxing District for the provision of cooperative fire and ambulance services. These
districts shall make payments of the tax authorized in this section to the Fire and
Ambulance Special Taxing District which shall provide ambulance and fire services
throughout the district and may exercise all the powers of the cities and towns that receive
fire and ambulance service anywhere in the district. The district may impose a tax on
service provided in cities and townships not part of the district for service that is mandated
by the state of Minnesota through the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board.
This tax is to recover all of the costs associated by the district in the provision of service to
those communities not a member of the district. Any other contiguous town or home rule
charter 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. Action to join the district
may be taken by the appropriate governing authority.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Board. new text end

new text begin The board shall consist of at least one elected official of the
governing body of each member community of the district, which at the time of its choice
to participate in the district, the community was actually providing fire or ambulance
service, or both, to its residents.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Tax. new text end

new text begin The district may impose a property tax on real and personal property
in the district and to those cities and townships receiving service from the district. This tax
shall be in an amount sufficient to discharge its operating expenses and debt payable in
each year. The applicable county auditor or county auditors shall collect the tax and pay
it to the Fire and Ambulance Special Taxing District. Further, the district may impose
other fees or charges as allowed under statute for the provision of fire and ambulance
services provided.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Public indebtedness. new text end

new text begin The district may incur debt in the manner provided
for a municipality by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 475, when necessary to accomplish
its duties.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Withdrawal. new text end

new text begin Notice of intent to withdraw from participation in the district
may be given only in the month of January, with a minimum of twelve months' notice
of intent to withdraw. The district and its members may develop and agree upon certain
continuing obligations after withdrawal.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective in Cloquet and Perch Lake Township
the day after compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivision 3, by the
governing body of each.
new text end