Alabama § 45-48-142.26 - Fire Protection Service Fee Collection and Disposition.

§ 45-48-142.26. Fire Protection Service Fee Collection and Disposition.

(a)(1) The revenue commissioner shall collect, administer, and enforce the fire protection service fee at the same time, in the same manner, and under the same requirements and laws as the ad valorem taxes of the state. In the case of mobile homes, the fee shall be collected, administered, and enforced 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.

(2)a. The revenue commissioner shall collect a delinquent fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) from owners of property subject to the fee under Section 45-48-142.24 who have failed to pay their service fee by the time required by the revenue commissioner.

b. The revenue commissioner shall issue citations to owners of property covered under Section 45-48-142.24 for failure to pay a fire service fee or a delinquent fee under paragraph a.

(3) The proceeds of the collected fees, minus an administration fee not to exceed five percent, shall be paid to the respective volunteer fire districts. The delinquent fee and citation fee imposed under subdivision (2) shall be distributed in the same manner as the fire service fee.

(b) Funds paid to the volunteer fire districts shall only be expended for fire protection and emergency services purposes to include the purchase of vehicles and equipment, daily operations, training, supplies, and insurances. Each fire district receiving funds shall maintain financial records in accordance with the Financial and Compliance Guidelines for Volunteer Fire Departments, August 2009, of the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.

(c) By September 15th of each year, the volunteer fire district receiving fire protection service fees shall file a financial statement with the county commission detailing the receipt and expenditure of all funds generated by this subpart during the previous 12-month period. The filing shall also account for all unspent funds and whether the unspent funds have been obligated. The county commission shall supply the accounting forms to each eligible fire district.

(d)(1) The revenue commissioner shall issue monthly fire protection service fee financial reports detailing the assessment, collection, and distribution of the fee. The revenue commissioner shall create separate reports for each fire district.

(2) The revenue commissioner shall deliver a copy of each report to the corresponding volunteer fire department, the county commission, and the Marshall County Association of Fire Departments and Rescue Squads. Once delivered, the revenue commissioner shall make each report publicly available.