By Don Ratzlaff
Hillsboro Free Press – September 24, 2013
The Hillsboro City Council approved at its Sept. 17 meeting the creation of a reserve fund to replace firefighting vehicles and equipment.
The action was required by the new fire-protection agreement between the city and five surrounding entities.
City Administrator Larry Paine reported that the Lehigh City Council had approved the agreement at its Sept. 12 meeting. The other partners—the city of Hillsboro and the townships of Lehigh, Liberty, Menno and Risley—approved it Aug. 20.
Under the agreement, the city of Hillsboro “may purchase, acquire or improve any equipment apparatus which the city determines is necessary” to provide fire-protection services.
The fund was included in the city’s budget approved in July for 2014 in anticipation that all parties would approve the agreement, Paine said. It now becomes active with its official creation.
The fund will be used to collect revenues and make expenditures related only to the replacement of fire vehicles and equipment.
The agreement states that the city of Hillsboro “may purchase, acquire or improve any equipment apparatus which the city determines is necessary” to provide fire-protection services.
The agreement also provides for the creation of an advisory board—appointed by the Hillsboro mayor and comprised of representatives from each participating entity—to make recommendations to the city regarding equipment needs.
Be First to Comment