(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission on Monday heard a proposal for the creation of a fire district.

Cory Lay, representing the Hiawatha Fire Department, meet with the Commission by Zoom conference to discuss the proposal.

Lay said the fire department would like to create a district that would include Hiawatha and Padonia Townships along with the city of Hiawatha, which is the same area currently served by the department.

The Hiawatha City Commission approved a resolution in March supporting the efforts and confirming the city' intent to join the district.

County Attorney Kevin Hill discussed the state statute regarding the formation of a fire district, which would have its own taxing authority. 

He said the statute allows for a district to include a second class city if the entire county or majority of the county is included in the proposed district.  If the majority of the county doesn't want a district, then the county can establish a fire district not including the city of Hiawatha that the city can later petition to be included in.

Hill said a fire district can be created by resolution or petition. Commissioners stated they would like to see it created by petition, which would require the signatures of 60 percent of the landowners within the proposed district.

Commissioners asked Lay to talk to other fire departments in the county first to see their interest in being part of a fire district.

Following an executive session, the Commission voted to accept the resignation of District 1 road and bridge foreman Herb Roland and District 1 crewman Shawn Babb.

County Clerk Melissa Gormley suggested to the commission they hire a road and bridge secretary.

The Commission asked Gormley to draft a job description for their review at next week's meeting.

Brown County is currently the only county in Kansas that does not have a separate road and bridge department.