§1502. Service charge authorized for DeSoto Parish; assessment and collection

A.(1) The governing authority of any fire protection district situated wholly within the geographical boundaries of DeSoto Parish is hereby authorized to establish, by majority vote of the members of the authority, a service charge to be assessed persons owning property located wholly or partly within the boundaries of the fire protection district as customers of the district, subject to the provisions of Subsection B of this Section. Such service charges shall be equal for all customers and shall be framed so as to cover the costs of any or all of the following components of fire protection services:

(a) The purchase of fire protection equipment.

(b) The maintenance and operation of fire protection facilities and equipment.

(c) Obtaining water for fire protection purchases.

(2) The fire protection district shall provide a receipt to each property owner paying the service charge. All insurers and all insurance agents shall have proof of a current service charge receipt before considering any reduced rates because of fire district protection.

B. Service charges so established shall be assessed by resolution of the governing authority of the fire protection district. However, the resolution assessing said service charges shall be adopted by the governing authority only after the question of the assessment and the amount of the service charge established have been submitted to and approved by a majority of electors of the district voting at an election held for that purpose. Such election shall be conducted in accordance with the general election laws of the state and shall be held at the same time that an election authorized by the provisions of R.S. 18:402 is held.

C. The governing authority of any fire protection district assessing a service charge for fire protection services to customers of the district as provided in this Section shall also have the authority to use any necessary and proper means to collect and enforce the collection of such service charges, including contracting with another political subdivision within DeSoto Parish or any official of said parish to effect such collection. However, liens shall not be placed on property for failure to pay such service charge.

Added by Acts 1985, No. 117, §1, eff. June 29, 1985; Acts 1992, No. 93, §1.