Loading...
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
§ 33.60 DEFINITIONS.
   For the purposes of this subchapter, the terms that follow below all shall be deemed to have the meaning as so indicated:
   AREA. All of the real property located within unincorporated Kenton County that is situated within the CSVFD Service Area.
   CRESCENT SPRINGS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT (CSVFD). The Fire Department established under the provisions of KRS Chs. 67, 75, and 273 and is in good standing and recognized by the Commonwealth of Kentucky that is located and operates within Kenton County, Kentucky.
   CSVFD SERVICE BOUNDARY. Encompasses all real estate parcels within the city limit boundaries of the Cities of Crescent Springs and Villa Hills, Kentucky, and includes certain real estate parcels within the northwesterly portion of unincorporated Kenton County that are adjacent to and in proximity of these city boundaries.
   FIRE/LIFE SERVICE SUBSCRIPTION FEE. An annual fire/emergency squad protection fee.
   PROPERTY OWNER. Any person or entity owning real property located within the area and any person or entity otherwise subject to taxation as an owner of any interest in the property pursuant to the Kentucky Revised Statutes.
   PROPERTY TAX BILLS. The annual ad valorem tax bill applicable to real property that is issued by the County Clerk and collected by the County Sheriff pursuant to KRS Ch. 134.
   SUBSCRIBER FEE(S). Any membership charge or subscriber fee that is levied by the CSVFD upon any property owner within the area.
(Ord. 310.4, passed 7-25-17)
§ 33.61 SUBSCRIBER FEE.
   Subject to publication and passage of this subchapter, a subscriber fee shall be placed upon the county property tax bills issued to all property owners located within the area beginning with tax year 2017 and continuing each year thereafter until repealed.
(Ord. 310.4, passed 7-25-17)
§ 33.62 SUBSCRIBER FEE AND ANNUAL RENEWAL.
   (A)   The subscriber fees shall be established annually by the CSVFD in an amount necessary to provide fire protection and emergency medical squad services in lieu of any charge for fire protection and/or emergency medical squad services actually performed.
   (B)   The CSVFD shall certify to the County Clerk, in writing, no later than May 15 of each year the amount of the subscriber fees it shall charge the property owners in the area. In support of its request for imposition of the subscriber fees the CSVFD shall annually submit to the Fiscal Court the following information on or before the dates set forth below:
      (1)   A copy of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year no later than July 15 of each year;
      (2)   A copy of its financial statements from the preceding fiscal year on or before August 1 of each year; and
      (3)   A report of the total number of fire service and emergency squad service runs made during the preceding year including, but not limited to, house fires, vehicle accidents/fires, woodland fires, requests for emergency medical calls or service runs and to include all false alarms/cancelled runs.
   (C)   In the event the CSVFD fails to certify the subscriber fees pursuant to this section, the subscriber fees for the upcoming tax year shall remain the same as the preceding year.
(Ord. 310.4, passed 7-25-17)
§ 33.63 REVIEW BY THE FISCAL COURT.
   (A)   The Fiscal Court (or its designee) shall collect, review, and verify the information submitted by the CSVFD pursuant to § 33.62. In the event the CSVFD intends to increase or decrease its annual subscriber fees it shall supply the Fiscal Court with a proposed fee schedule which shall be accompanied by a statement in writing as to why the increase or decrease in subscriber fees is necessary. A representative of the CSVFD shall present such a proposal at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Fiscal Court.
   (B)   The CSVFD, either directly or through its annual budget submitted and approved by the Crescent-Villa Fire Authority (hereinafter CVFA) shall be responsible for preparing an annual report showing the funds collected during the preceding tax year pursuant to this subchapter and reporting the findings to the Fiscal Court during the month of July of each year.
   (C)   The CSVFD, either directly or through the CVFA, shall maintain a book of accounts showing the financial transactions of the CSVFD relating to revenues generated and paid pursuant to this subchapter. The CSVFD shall report their account balances to the Fiscal Court as part of their annual report to the Fiscal Court in July of each year. Upon written request of the County Judge/Executive, the CSVFD shall provide an accounting detailing each check disbursed, including the check number, amount, and to whom the check was written, and any accompanying detailed information as to why the check was disbursed.
   (D)   The Fiscal Court may, at its sole discretion and expense, order the CSVFD to be audited in order to ensure the proper usage of funds collected and/or the necessity of continuing collection pursuant to KRS 75.450(7).
(Ord. 310.4, passed 7-25-17)
§ 33.64 COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT.
   (A)   The subscriber fees levied herein shall be collected by the County Sheriff pursuant to KRS 75.450(8). The Sheriff shall be entitled to retain 4.25% of any subscriber fees collected pursuant to this subchapter.
   (B)   Each property owner within the area shall be required to pay the subscriber fees at the same time the property tax bill is due and payable. The subscriber fee shall not be divisible from the total amount owed by the property owner and the Sheriff shall not accept partial payments of the subscriber fee.
   (C)   The subscriber fees shall constitute a lien upon the property from the date of issuance until paid. Unpaid subscriber fees shall bear the same penalty as general state and county taxes.
(Ord. 310.4, passed 7-25-17)
§ 33.99 PENALTY.
   Any person, corporation, or other entity who owns or controls a premise which is found to have violated § 33.10(B) shall be fined $50 per excess false alarm as a civil penalty.
(Ord. 101.00, passed 6-13-95)