Applications for fire department plan approval shall include: (1) application by the district's board covering the subject matter contained in Water Code, §49.351, as amended, and specifically identifying: (A) the method proposed for district fire protection: i.e. establishment of own fire department, joint fire protection service between two or more districts, or contract with others for fire fighting services; and (B) the method proposed for financing the project including, if applicable, the amount and type bonds (tax, revenue, combination) proposed for issuance by the district; (2) certified copy of the district board's resolution authorizing submission of application for fire department plan approval; (3) certified copy of the district board's order adopting a fire protection plan and/or any proposed contract to be entered into by the district for this purpose; (4) evidence that a copy of the fire protection plan and proposed contracts as adopted by the district's board has been coordinated with the city having extra-territorial jurisdiction of the district; and if the district is outside the jurisdiction of any city, then provide evidence that the county commissioners court of the county in which the district is located has been provided a copy of the plan; (5) filing fee in the amount of $100; (6) fire protection plan (the plan) which shall include, but not be limited to, the following applicable requirements: (A) number and type of buildings and other facilities to be constructed including preliminary drawings, individual cost estimates, together with a location map of the area covered by the plan showing building/facility sites; (B) discussion of existing and/or proposed water supply and distribution systems and their capabilities to support the district board's adopted plan; (C) number, type, purpose and estimated cost of each programmed item of fire fighting equipment; (D) number and combined salary estimate of paid employees proposed, including benefit packages; (E) copy of each proposed contract adopted by the district's board; (F) number and type of facilities and structures existing and projected within the district proposed for fire protection coverage under the adopted plan; and (G) preliminary summary of costs, as applicable, for capital improvements, including buildings, support facilities, vehicles, and miscellaneous equipment; and associated expenses, including legal fees; fiscal agent fees; administration, printing and selling bonds; capitalized interest (two years); building and facility sites (itemize showing cost/acre/site); organization, operation, maintenance, and administration costs; and bond discount; (7) financial presentation for the district board's adopted plan which shall include, but not be limited to: (A) total amount of all bonds currently authorized by the district's electorate; (B) total amount of bonds approved for issuance by the commission or its predecessors; (C) total bonds sold by the district, existing debt, including an itemization of all outstanding bonds, tax or bond anticipation notes, miscellaneous short and long term debt, and present district tax rate to support debt service; (D) projection of revenues and expenses over the life of the proposed bond issue, together with an amortization schedule for the proposed bond issue, if bonds are to be sold to finance the establishment of the fire department; and all debt, as outlined under subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, plus the anticipated debt for any proposed bond issue to finance establishment of a fire department shall be included in the projection of revenues and expenses; (E) a draft of the proposed contract for services and the plan that describes in detail the facilities and equipment to be devoted to service to the district, including financial requirements under the proposed contract, if the district proposes to contract with any other person to perform fire fighting services within the district under Water Code, §§49.351(e); and (F) evidence that the district can financially sustain the operation and maintenance costs of the proposed fire department, and a presentation of the method proposed for generating funds for these purposes, and other miscellaneous expenses; and (8) report describing existing fire department and fire fighting services (fire service organization) within 25 miles of the district, including, (A) a map showing prominent roads, landmarks and the location of each fire service organization, and depicting distance and route to the center of the district by each organization; and (B) a narrative statement addressing the capabilities and willingness of each fire service organization to serve the needs of the district; the probability of a reasonable contract with one or more of the fire service organizations within a 25 mile radius, and a preliminary estimate of the annual costs of this anticipated fire protection service; and any other information deemed pertinent to the proposed application. |
