7-33-2120. Consolidation of fire districts -- mill levy limitations. - Montana Statutes

     7-33-2120. Consolidation of fire districts -- mill levy limitations. (1) Two or more rural fire districts may consolidate to form a single rural fire district upon an affirmative vote of each rural fire district's board of trustees. At the time they vote to consolidate, the boards of trustees shall also adopt a consolidation plan. The plan must contain:
     (a) a timetable for consolidation, including the effective date of consolidation, which must be after the time allowed for protests to the creation of the consolidated rural fire district under subsection (3);
     (b) the name of the new rural fire district;
     (c) a boundary map of the new rural fire district; and
     (d) the estimated financial impact of consolidation on the average taxpayer within the proposed district.
     (2) Within 14 days of the date that the trustees vote to consolidate, notice of the consolidation must be published as provided in 7-1-2121 or as provided in 7-1-4127 if the district or part of the district is in an incorporated third-class city or town in each county in which any part of the consolidated fire district will be located. A public hearing on the consolidation must be held within 14 days of the first publication of notice. The hearing must be held before the joint boards of trustees at a time and place set forth in the publication of notice.
     (3) Real property owners in each affected rural fire district may submit written protests opposing consolidation to the trustees of their district. If within 21 days of the first publication of notice the owners of 40% or more of the real property in an existing district and owners of property representing 40% or more of the taxable value of property in an existing district protest the consolidation, it is void.
     (4) After consolidation, the former rural fire districts constitute a single rural fire district governed under the provisions of 7-33-2104 through 7-33-2106.
     (5) The consolidation of two or more rural fire districts pursuant to this section results in the creation of a new rural fire district for the purposes of determining mill levy limitations.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 338, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 499, L. 2007.