HB206 Summary

• Mobile County Commission may create a North Mobile County Volunteer Fire Department Board with five members (three from volunteer fire departments, one from public water supplier, one from general public) to review and evaluate volunteer fire services in County Commission District 1.

• Board shall evaluate fire suppression, emergency communications, water supply, fire protection adequacy, and reasonable service fees, reporting findings to Mobile County Commission by August 1, 2015.

• Mobile County Commission may impose an annual service fee not to exceed $50 on owners of dwellings and commercial buildings in District 1, effective October 1, 2015, collected by Revenue Commissioner with ad valorem tax bills.

• Service fee proceeds go to Mobile County General Fund with 2% retained for administrative costs and 2% held in segregated account for volunteer fire department expenses; remaining funds distributed to volunteer fire departments for fire protection, emergency services, training, supplies, equipment, and liability insurance.

• Fire departments receiving funds must keep accurate records; improper expenditure results in return of funds plus 10% penalty, and departments may forfeit future funding for non-compliance.