Indiana Fire Protection Districts
Feb 24, 2016. A Brown County Fire Protection District, established in 2007, included a funding mechanism which could have been used for staffing, but it was never fully implemented because of constant court battles. Ref: All-volunteer fire force: Still feasible? Sara Clifford -February 24, 2016 https://bcdemocrat.com/2016/02/24/all-volunteer-fire-force-still-feasible-3
Sept 1, 2015. Indiana Supreme Court. Justia Opinion Summary
In 2007, the Brown County Board of Commissioners enacted an ordinance that established a county-wide fire protection district. In 2008, the newly elected Board enacted an ordinance purporting to dissolve the district. The Court of Appeals concluded that the Board lacked the authority to unilaterally dissolve the district by ordinance absent a petition process. In 2011, the Board amended the ordinance. Several county landowners sued various commissioners and the Board of Trustees, Brown County Fire Protection District seeking a declaration that the amendments were void. The trial court granted summary judgment to the landowners, concluding that the amending ordinance was not a valid exercise of the Board’s authority. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the amended ordinance was a valid exercise of the authority of the Brown County Board of Commissioners.
Sep 2, 2015 Justices: Commissioners may void county fire districts
Jan 12, 2015 APPEAL FROM THE BROWN CIRCUIT COURT
https://cases.justia.com/indiana/court-of-appeals/2015-07a01-1406-pl-265.pdf?ts=1421078812A
Jan 1, 2008 Government can create fire protection district
Sept 5, 2007 (Updated April 15, 2016_. Brown County board backs new fire district over foes
Nashville – A decision to consolidate several volunteer fire departments into one district was met with vocal opposition from firefighters and residents.
The Brown County Commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday in favor of the new fire district under a governing board they would appoint.
Commissioner Blake Wolpert said the new district would relieve the volunteer departments of legal and bookkeeping duties, allowing firefighters to focus on emergency response.
More than 100 people filled the meeting room, with many people shouting and groaning at comments by commissioners supporting the plan.
Nashville Fire Chief Dak Kelp said that none of his department’s volunteers supported the change. Representatives from other departments, including Van Buren, Cordry/Sweetwater and Fruitdale, also said they did not support the district.
“I can’t understand how you came to the conclusion that people are in favor of this,” resident John Mills said.
The new fire district which would include the entire county except for the town of Nashville, about 20 miles east of Bloomington. The Nashville Town Council could vote to join the district, but several council members have said they were against the move.
Wolford said the single district would help with finances, grant applications and other department responsibilities and would be accepted as the emotional response dies down.
(Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This story may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.)
Independent Voters of Brown County IN 