(a) The district shall constitute a public corporation, which shall have the power to do any and all acts or things necessary and convenient for carrying out the purposes for which it is created, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1) To sue and be sued.
(2) To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure.
(3) To acquire, hold, and dispose of property, real and personal, tangible and intangible, or interests therein and to pay therefor in cash or on credit, and to secure and procure payment of all or any part of the purchase price thereof on the terms and conditions as the board shall determine.
(4) To acquire, own, operate, maintain, and improve a system or systems.
(5) To pledge all or any part of its revenues, or mortgages, or otherwise encumber, all or any part of its property for the purpose of securing the payment of the principal of and interest on any of its obligations.
(6) To sell, lease, mortgage, or otherwise encumber or dispose of all or any part of its property, as hereinafter provided.
(7) To contract debts, borrow money, and to issue or assume the payment of obligations.
(8) To levy and collect service charges as provided in this part, subject to limitations provided in this part.
(9) To negotiate and enter into contracts for fire protection and emergency medical services with any municipality, volunteer fire department, or any other entity.
(10) To employ agents, servants, and attorneys.
(11) To perform all of the foregoing acts and to do any and all of the foregoing things under, through, or by means of its own officers, agents, and employees, or by contracts with any person, company, corporation, federal agency, or municipality.
(b) Notwithstanding any existing law, rule, or legal provision to the contrary, a municipality may enter into a contract or agreement with the fire district created pursuant to this part for the provision of fire or emergency services, or both, to the fire district.
(c) The property and income of the district, all bonds issued by the district, the income from the bonds, conveyances by or to the district, and leases, mortgages, and deeds of trust by or to the district shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Alabama, including specifically the tax imposed by Section 40-21-82. The district shall be exempt from all taxes levied by any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state, including, but without limitation to, license and excise taxes imposed in respect of the privilege of engaging in any of the activities that a district may engage in. The district shall not be obligated to pay or allow any fees, taxes, or costs to the judges of probate with respect to its incorporation, the amendment of its certificate of incorporation, or the recording of a document. This section shall be retroactive and shall apply from the date the district was first established.
Last modified: May 3, 2021