SB481 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jerry L. Fielding

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Elmore Co., and Tallapoosa Co., formation of districts for fire protection and emergency medical services near Lake Martin authorized, formation fee

Summary

This bill would create the South Lake Martin Fire District in parts of Elmore and Tallapoosa Counties to provide fire protection and emergency medical services near Lake Martin, funded by a Family and Home Protection service charge.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes establishing a public district called the South Lake Martin Fire District to support the Willow Point/Ourtown and Windermere Fire Districts and provide enhanced services in the Lake Martin area. It defines the district's intended area and eligible property owners within it, and sets up a seven-member board to govern the district. It grants the district powers common to public service districts (such as owning property, entering contracts, borrowing money, and levying service charges) and provides for a tax-exempt status. It requires referendums to approve service charges, outlines funding via the Family and Home Protection fee, and establishes rules for elections, administration, and potential abolition if debt-free.

Who It Affects

• Qualified property owners within the proposed district: may be taxed via a Family and Home Protection service charge and have voting rights on the district’s establishment and any service-charge elections.
• Residents and property owners in the Willow Point/Ourtown Fire District and the Windermere Fire District: would receive improved or enhanced fire protection and emergency medical services funded by the new district.
• Elmore County and Tallapoosa County governments: initially pay election-related costs, later reimbursed by the district, and participate in the formation process and governance of the district.
• Existing volunteer fire/EMS subdistricts within the new district: may remain as subdistricts and receive revenue allocations, with a guaranteed minimum annual allocation of at least $45,000.

Key Provisions

• Creates the South Lake Martin Fire District in Elmore and Tallapoosa Counties to provide fire protection and EMS, and to support Willow Point/Ourtown and Windermere fire districts with enhanced services.
• Defines the district's proposed area, consisting of two tracts (Willow Point/Ourtown and Windermere) with boundaries described and excluding land beneath Lake Martin water level.
• Allows petitions by at least 50 qualified property owners, includes a $2,500 filing fee, and requires a referendum on establishing the district and, optionally, on levying a Family and Home Protection service charge.
• Requires elections to be held within a set timeframe, and that service charges (if approved) be collected by the county revenue commissioner and used to fund district operations, with a lien on property securing the charges and a bonding requirement equal to three times annual revenue.
• Establishes a seven-member board of directors with defined appointment methods from county officials and existing fire districts, including ex officio members, and prohibits compensation for board members while allowing expense reimbursement.
• Outlines district powers as a public corporation (including the ability to sue, own property, borrow, and contract for services) and provides for a broad tax-exemption from state and local taxes, retroactive to the district’s creation.
• Requires service charges to be approved by referendum, sets collection and distribution procedures, and ensures revenues are used only for district fire protection and EMS services; subdistricts may exist with a minimum annual allocation of $45,000.
• Provides procedures to abolish the district if desired, requiring a petition by at least 300 qualified property owners and a majority vote, with a condition that abolition cannot occur while indebted.
• Is effective immediately after gubernatorial approval and supersedes conflicting laws.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elmore County