(a) The board:

1. (1) has the same powers and duties as a township executive with respect to fire protection functions, including those duties and powers prescribed by IC 36-8-13 , although all cooperative and joint actions permitted by that chapter must be undertaken according to this chapter;
2. (2) has the same powers and duties as a township executive relative to contracting with volunteer firefighting companies, as prescribed by IC 36-8-12 and IC 36-8-13 ;
3. (3) shall appoint, fix the compensation, and prescribe the duties of a fiscal officer, secretarial staff, persons performing special and temporary services or providing legal counsel, and other personnel considered necessary for the proper functioning of the district; however, a person appointed as fiscal officer must be bonded by good and sufficient sureties in an amount ordered by the county legislative body to protect the district from financial loss;
4. (4) shall exercise general supervision of and make regulations for the administration of the district's affairs;
5. (5) shall prescribe uniform rules pertaining to investigations and hearings;
6. (6) shall supervise the fiscal affairs and responsibilities of the district;
7. (7) may delegate to employees of the district the authority to perform ministerial acts, except in cases in which final action of the board is necessary;
8. (8) shall keep accurate and complete records of all departmental proceedings, record and file all bonds and contracts, and assume responsibility for the custody and preservation of all papers and documents of the district;
9. (9) shall make an annual report to the executive and the fiscal body of the county that at least lists the financial transactions of the district and a statement of the progress in accomplishing the purposes for which the district has been established;
10. (10) shall adopt a seal and certify all official acts;

11. (11) may sue and be sued collectively by its legal name:

    1. (A) ("Board of Fire Trustees, __________ Fire Protection District"); or

    2. (B) ("Governing Board of __________ Fire Protection District"), if a governing board for the district is appointed under section 12.5 of this chapter;

       with service of process made on the chair of the board, but costs may not be taxed against the members individually in an action;

12. (12) may invoke any legal, equitable, or special remedy for the enforcement of this chapter or of proper action of the board taken in a court;
13. (13) shall prepare and submit to the fiscal body of the county an annual budget for operation and maintenance expenses and for the retirement of obligations of the district, subject to review and approval by the fiscal body;
14. (14) may, if advisable, establish one (1) or more advisory committees, however in a county that adopts an ordinance under section 12.5 of this chapter, the board of fire trustees shall be an advisory body to the governing board;
15. (15) may enter into agreements with and accept money from a federal or state agency and enter into agreements with a municipality located within or outside the district, whether or not the municipality is a part of the district, for a purpose compatible with the purposes for which the district exists and with the interests of the municipality;
16. (16) may accept gifts of money or other property to be used for the purposes for which the district is established;
17. (17) may levy taxes at a uniform rate on the real and personal property within the district;
18. (18) may issue bonds and tax anticipation warrants;
19. (19) may incur other debts and liabilities;
20. (20) may purchase or rent property;
21. (21) may sell services or property that are produced incident to the operations of the district making a fair and reasonable charge for it;
22. (22) may make contracts or otherwise enter into agreements with public or private persons and federal or state agencies for construction, maintenance, or operations of or in part of the district;
23. (23) may receive and disburse money;
24. (24) may impose a false alarm fee or service charge under IC 36-8-13-4 ;
25. (25) may, subject to the approval of the active members of the fire department in a referendum, adopt a merit system under IC 36-8-3.5 ; and
26. (26) shall serve as merit commissioners if a merit system is adopted under IC 36-8-3.5 .

(b) Powers granted by this chapter may be used only to accomplish the purpose or purposes as stated in the ordinance or resolution establishing the district. However, an act of the board necessary and proper to accomplish the purposes for which the district is established is not invalid because it incidentally accomplishes a purpose other than one for which the district is established.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: subsection

(a) formerly 19-1-45-17 part; subsection (b) formerly 19-1-45-3.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.63. Amended by P.L.341-1987, SEC.3; P.L.82-2001, SEC.1; P.L.127-2017, SEC.270; P.L.207-2023, SEC.24; P.L.236-2023, SEC.199.