19-3619.   Same; consolidation with adjoining district; outstandingbonds; approval of consolidation agreement; findings; designation;governing body of consolidated district, terms.Subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 19-270, andamendments thereto, the fire district may beconsolidated with any adjoining fire districtorganized under this or any prior act at any time by consent of thegoverning bodies of each district and on such basis and terms as may beagreed upon between the governing bodies of such districts. Any bondsoutstanding and unpaid against each individual district at the time ofconsolidation into one district, shall be charged against and paid by theproperty within each of such districts liable for such bonds at the time ofthe consolidation. Any agreement between any such districts to consolidateshall not become effective unless and until such agreement is approved bythe board of county commissioners, which approval, orrejection, shall be made within aperiod of 90 days following the date of such agreement between thegoverning bodies of any such two fire districts. Before approval isgiven by the board of county commissioners, it shall find that:(a) Each district as previouslyconstituted would in its opinion be benefited by receiving as good orbetter service if consolidated; and(b) it would make possible either lower fire insurance rates onproperties within the district or prevent establishing of higher rates.Approval of such agreement of consolidation shall be made byunanimous vote of the board of county commissioners.

      If any two such fire districts are consolidated into one district,or if any one district is consolidated with a previously consolidateddistrict, then thereafter such consolidated or merged districts shall beknown and designated as Johnson county consolidated fire district number(_____). Except as provided in K.S.A. 19-3614a, whenever the agreementof consolidation is filed in the office ofthe county clerk, the county board shall at that time appoint twoof the former members of the governing body of the larger in area of thetwo districts, whether they be in the form of an original district orof consolidated districts, and one of the former members of the smaller inarea of any two such districts which are consolidated into one andthe three members so appointed shall be and constitute the governingbody of the consolidated district. As soon as such duly appointed membersare appointed and qualified, the terms of the former members of theoriginal districts or consolidated districts so merged into one shallthereupon be terminated. The county board shall designate the terms forwhich each of such three members of the governing body shall serve andthey shall be governed by all of the rules, regulations, requirements,duties and obligations herein set forth for members of the originaldistricts.

      Any such fire districts or consolidated fire district shall be known anddesignated as fire district number (_____) in (___________) county, Kansas.

      History:   L. 1955, ch. 175, § 7; L. 1957, ch. 193, § 4;L. 1986, ch. 70, § 18;L. 1988, ch. 109, § 2; July 1.