Relating to certain emergency services provided by a city

This bill relates to certain emergency services provided by a city. Current law generally voids a contract entered into by a city officer or employee if the officer or employee has an interest, direct or indirect, in the contract or job of work or material or the profits thereof or services to be furnished or performed for the officer’s or employee’s city. The bill provides that this provision does not prohibit the lawful compensation, including nominal stipends, incentives, and benefits, for a volunteer fire fighter or emergency medical care provider holding one or more city offices or positions if holding the office or position is not incompatible with another public office or is not prohibited by law. Current law allows a city council member, during the term for which the member is elected, to serve as the chief of a volunteer fire department or serve a volunteer fire department in any other capacity. A person holding the office of chief of such a volunteer fire department at the time of the person’s election to the city council may continue to hold the office of chief of the volunteer fire department during the city council term for which that person was elected. The bill allows a currently serving city council member to serve as chief of the volunteer fire department upon a majority vote of the council, but such member must abstain from the vote. The bill provides that a city may establish a fund or reserve savings account to pay for major equipment for police, fire, rescue, or emergency medical services. If a city has established such a fund or account and has received a payment, award, judgment, or insurance settlement for damaged police, fire, rescue, or emergency medical services equipment or vehicles, the city shall deposit the moneys into the relevant fund or account rather than into the general fund of the city. However, if a city uses moneys from its general fund to cover costs to repair or replace such equipment or vehicles, the city may deposit into its general fund an amount received from the payment, award, judgment, or insurance settlement that is equal to the amount used from the general fund. The city shall deposit any remaining amount received into the relevant fund or account. Moneys remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year may be deposited into a reserve savings account. Moneys in a reserve savings account shall be used for the purpose of maintaining or acquiring major equipment including vehicles.