(a) Distribution. The County must pay all appropriated funds budgeted for use by a local fire and rescue department at least on a monthly basis to the department in accordance with a projected monthly schedule or approved budget submitted by that department before the start of the fiscal year. At the request of a local fire and rescue department, the County, as a service to that department, may retain, disburse, and account for any fire tax funds budgeted for use by that department.
(b) Expenditures and investments. The treasurers, as authorized by the local fire and rescue department, must pay all proper costs, expenses, claims and demands necessary for the maintenance, equipment, and operation of the local fire and rescue department. Any money which the County retains on behalf of the local fire and rescue department must be invested in the County’s investment fund. The proceeds from those investments must be credited to each local fire and rescue department for the next fiscal year after the funds were invested. Proceeds must be credited to each local fire and rescue department in proportion to the amount of funds retained and invested by the County.
(c) Treasurer’s bond. Each local fire and rescue department must provide a corporate bond to the County approved by the Director of Finance conditioned on the faithful discharge of the duties of the treasurer. The Director may approve a blanket corporate bond covering one or more local fire and rescue departments.
(d) Audit. Financial transactions involving County fire tax funds must be included in the annual audit required by the Charter. Copies of the annual audit must be provided to the County Council, the Commission, and each local fire and rescue department. (1980 L.M.C., ch. 64, § 3; 1988 L.M.C., ch. 14, § 11; 1992 L.M.C., ch. 7, § 1; 1992 L.M.C., ch. 8, § 1; 1998 L.M.C., ch. 4, § 1; 2004 L.M.C., ch. 5, § 1; 2009 L.M.C., ch. 5, § 1.)
Editor’s note—Section 21-24, formerly §21-4S, was renumbered and amended pursuant to 1998 L.M.C., ch. 4, §1.