10-09-23-SWS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Highlights of the Current Governance Model: 1. Ensuring continuity within the business structure has proven to be difficult which leads to the revisiting of previously "decided" upon items which has led to significant delays to changes to meet today's needs. 2. While the cities do work well together, it can, at times, be difficult to operate by 100% consensus across all three cities and the board (four separate majority votes) which has led to significant delays to change to meet today's needs. 3. Although the history of "why" is known and understood, having subordinates (firefighters) as board members is no longer appropriate for the business. This is not a good business practice for the future. 4. Today, there is not a process to ramp up the budget to prepare for upcoming changes. Committing financially to anything beyond the next 12-month period is absent. Fire District Governance Model State law requires that Fire District Board Members must be made up of elected members of the governing body of the political subdivision and serve at the pleasure of that participant's governing body. One example of what the Board could look like with the current three -city makeup: City Board Representatives Arden Hills — 2 Board Members North Oaks — 2 Board Members Shoreview — 3 Board Members The Fire Chief would report to the Fire District Board. The Fire District Board may elect to form an Operating Committee. This committee would likely include the City Managers/Administrators from the member cities. This Operating Committee would meet monthly with the Fire Chief and other staff as needed, and report to the board at each regular meeting. The Operating Committee would likely have the authority to approve budgeted expenditures during monthly meetings. Non -budgeted expenditures would likely need to be approved by the Board. A list of bills would be provided to each member of the operating committee monthly. Special Taxing District State Statute allows for two taxing options for the Fire District: a.) The Board may levy a tax on the taxable real and personal property in the district. The proceeds of the levy must be used as provided in statute.