(b) This section does not apply to a merged district under section 23 of this chapter.

     (d) The board of fire trustees for the district shall be appointed as prescribed by section 12 of this chapter. However, the legislative body of each county within which the district is located shall jointly appoint one (1) trustee from each township or part of a township contained in the district and one (1) trustee from the municipality contained in the district. The legislative body of each county shall jointly appoint a member to fill a vacancy.

     (e) Sections 13, 14, and 15 of this chapter relating to the board of fire trustees apply to the board of the district. However, the county legislative bodies serving the district shall jointly decide where the board shall locate (or approve location of) its office.

     (f) Sections 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21 of this chapter relating to the taxing district, bonds, annual budget, tax levies, and disbanding of fire departments apply to the district. However, the budget must be approved by the county fiscal body in each county in the district. In addition, the auditor of each county in the district shall perform the duties described in section 18(c) of this chapter.

As added by P.L.36-2000, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.224-2007, SEC.128; P.L.146-2008, SEC.781; P.L.257-2019, SEC.153.