19-3619. Same; consolidation with adjoining district; outstanding bonds; approval of consolidation agreement; findings; designation; governing body of consolidated district, terms. Subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 19-270, and amendments thereto, the fire district may be consolidated with any adjoining fire district organized under this or any prior act at any time by consent of the governing bodies of each district and on such basis and terms as may be agreed upon between the governing bodies of such districts. Any bonds outstanding and unpaid against each individual district at the time of consolidation into one district, shall be charged against and paid by the property within each of such districts liable for such bonds at the time of the consolidation. Any agreement between any such districts to consolidate shall not become effective unless and until such agreement is approved by the board of county commissioners, which approval, or rejection, shall be made within a period of 90 days following the date of such agreement between the governing bodies of any such two fire districts. Before approval is given by the board of county commissioners, it shall find that: (a) Each district as previously constituted would in its opinion be benefited by receiving as good or better service if consolidated; and (b) it would make possible either lower fire insurance rates on properties within the district or prevent establishing of higher rates. Approval of such agreement of consolidation shall be made by unanimous 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 consolidated district, then thereafter such consolidated or merged districts shall be known and designated as Johnson county consolidated fire district number (_____). Except as provided in K.S.A. 19-3614a, whenever the agreement of consolidation is filed in the office of the county clerk, the county board shall at that time appoint two of the former members of the governing body of the larger in area of the two districts, whether they be in the form of an original district or of consolidated districts, and one of the former members of the smaller in area of any two such districts which are consolidated into one and the three members so appointed shall be and constitute the governing body of the consolidated district. As soon as such duly appointed members are appointed and qualified, the terms of the former members of the original districts or consolidated districts so merged into one shall thereupon be terminated. The county board shall designate the terms for which each of such three members of the governing body shall serve and they shall be governed by all of the rules, regulations, requirements, duties and obligations herein set forth for members of the original districts.

Any such fire districts or consolidated fire district shall be known and designated 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.