80-1921. Same; operation and maintenance; tax levies; tax levies for additional equipment in certain townships; petition; election. (a) The township board of any such township shall have full direction and control over the operation of such township fire department. The board shall have the power to:

(1) Provide for the organization of volunteer members of such department and pay compensation to such members for fighting fires, responding to emergencies or attending meetings;

(2) provide special clothing and equipment for such volunteers;

(3) insure such volunteers against accidental death and injury in the performance of their duties;

(4) pay for the acquisition, installation or maintenance of one or more fire hydrants, or similar devices for fighting fires, including necessary equipment, services or supplies related thereto.

The acquisition, installation and maintenance shall be subject to the mutual agreement of the governing body of the fire district and the governing body of the rural water district which owns, operates or maintains the water line on which the fire hydrant, or other similar device for fighting fires, is to be installed; and

(5) do all other things necessary or desirable to maintain and operate such department so as to furnish fire protection to the inhabitants of such township.

(b) Such township board may levy an annual tax on all the taxable tangible property in such township for the purpose of paying the expenses of equipping, operating and maintaining such fire department. Any tax levy authorized by this section shall be in addition to the tax levy made to pay for no-fund warrants issued pursuant to K.S.A. 80-1920, and amendments thereto. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this act, the provisions of K.S.A. 80-1906 and 80-1907, and amendments thereto, shall apply to townships adopting the provisions of this act.

(c) In addition to the tax levy authorized by subsection (b), the township board of Kickapoo, Tonganoxie, Easton, Fairmount, Sherman and Delaware townships located in Leavenworth county may levy an annual tax of not to exceed two mills on all the taxable tangible property in such township for the purpose of purchasing additional equipment for such fire department. If a petition in opposition to the tax levy authorized herein, signed by not less than 5% of the qualified electors of such township is filed with the township board of such township, within 40 days after July 1, 1971, the tax levy shall not be made unless first approved as a question submitted at the next general election or at a special election called for the purpose of submitting the question. If such a petition is filed, the township board may cause to be placed on the ballot at the next general election the question of whether such tax shall be levied. If a majority of the votes cast and counted at such election are in favor of the resolution, such governing body may levy the tax authorized herein.

History: L. 1951, ch. 524, § 3; L. 1953, ch. 469, § 2; L. 1961, ch. 466, § 1; L. 1970, ch. 385, § 10; L. 1971, ch. 329, § 2; L. 1987, ch. 396, § 1; L. 1999, ch. 154, § 66; L. 2002, ch. 150, § 11; L. 2004, ch. 26, § 11; July 1.