Indianapolis, In. — Republican state representative Randy Frye from Greensburg is working to help resolve township fire contract disputes more quickly.
Frye co-authored legislation that would empower township boards with more fiscal oversight before a township enters contract negotiations with a volunteer fire department for critical fire and emergency services.
“Disputes over fire protection contract agreements can have costly legal implications and put Hoosiers’ safety at risk,” Frye said. “Under this proposal, the township board would have to approve the township trustee’s appointment of an attorney during negotiations, adding another layer of accountability and oversight before taxpayer dollars are spent on legal counsel.”
House Bill 1125 would require the township trustee to provide the township board with a cost estimate for legal fees associated with negotiating a fire or emergency service contract before hiring an attorney. Upon the township board’s approval, the trustee could then hire an attorney or pay legal fees related to contract negotiations.
The bill would prevent township trustees from paying for legal fees out of funds dedicated by the township board to pay for fire services without the board’s specific approval. In addition, this proposal would require contracts between townships and volunteer fire departments to clearly delineate the fixed term of the contract and whether it can be renewed or extended.
The House of Representatives voted in support of Frye’s proposal, which can now move to the Senate for consideration. To learn more about this and other proposals for new laws, visit iga.in.gov.
