7-33-2120. Consolidation of fire districts. (1) Two or more rural fire districts may consolidate to form a single rural fire district upon an affirmative vote of each rural fire district's board of trustees. At the time they vote to consolidate, the boards of trustees must also adopt a consolidation plan. The plan must contain:
     (a) a timetable for consolidation, including the effective date of consolidation, which must be after the time allowed for protests to the creation of the consolidated rural fire district under subsection (3);
     (b) the name of the new rural fire district;
     (c) a boundary map of the new rural fire district; and
     (d) the estimated financial impact of consolidation on the average taxpayer within the proposed district.
     (2) Within 14 days of the date that the trustees vote to consolidate, notice of the consolidation must be published as provided in 7-1-2121 in each county in which any part of the consolidated fire district will be located. A public hearing on the consolidation must be held within 14 days of the first publication of notice. The hearing must be held before the joint boards of trustees at a time and place set forth in the publication of notice.
     (3) Property owners of each affected rural fire district may submit written protests opposing consolidation to the trustees of their district. If within 21 days of the first publication of notice more than 50% of the property owners in an existing district protest the consolidation, it is void.
     (4) After consolidation, the former rural fire districts constitute a single rural fire district governed under the provisions of 7-33-2104 through 7-33-2106.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 338, L. 1989.