DISSOLUTION OF THE
BROWN COUNTY
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
By the Brown County Commissioners
January 1, 2009
On Thursday January 1st, the Brown County Commissioners held a meeting at 6 p.m. During the meeting, the Commissioners introduced and passed an ordinance (News Page) which intends to “dissolve” the Brown County Fire Protection District, with immediate effect. Upon review, the District Board understands that the ordinance as executed does not comply with I.C. 36-9-11-24, which addresses how a District may be “dissolved”. The BCFPD Board has complied with the ordinance’s instruction to notify the state’s Department of Local Government Finance; in the notification, we state that we do not believe the ordinance is legal and we do not waive our rights to legal remedy.
It should be noted that this action by the Commissioners was taken in their formative meeting, which was not widely publicized. Further, contrary to their stated policy, the ordinance was presented for initial reading and voted on at the same meeting, without time for outside review or comment.
The BCFPD Board encourages all concerned members of the community to attend the next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners on January 5th at 6:30 p.m. where the Commissioners are expected to vote on other matters relating to public safety, including a resolution to create an Emergency Management Commission.
To read the Dissolution Ordinance go to this websites NEWS page and click 01-01-09-01 Dissolution Ordinance.