Alabama § 45-35-140.03 - Fire Protection Service Fee - Collection, Administration, and Enforcement.

§ 45-35-140.03. Fire Protection Service Fee - Collection, Administration, and Enforcement.

Except with regard to the enforcement provisions thereof, the fire protection service fee shall be collected and administered as closely as possible at the same time, in the same manner, and under the same requirements and laws as are the ad valorem taxes of the state. Likewise, in the case of mobile homes, the fee shall be collected and administered as closely as possible at the same time, in the same manner, and under the same requirements and laws as the annual registration fee for manufactured homes provided in Section 40-12-255. If the fire protection service fee is not paid within 30 days after becoming due and payable, the county commission may collect the service fee as provided in Section 45-35-140.09. The proceeds of the fee shall be paid into a special county fund. Within 30 days of payment into the special fund, the county commission shall divide the funds equally among all eligible volunteer fire departments and the Houston County Volunteer Firefighters Association. The Houston County Volunteer Firefighters Association shall be included as an entity or department in order to receive an equal share of funds. The county commission may establish rules and procedures regarding the transfer, investing, accounting, and handling of the funds, including an administrative fee not to exceed four percent of the funds collected.