This bill amends existing laws regarding emergency services provided by cities in Iowa. It clarifies that lawful compensation, including nominal stipends, incentives, and benefits, for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical care providers is permissible even if they hold one or more city offices, as long as these positions are not incompatible with other public offices or prohibited by law. Additionally, it allows city council members to serve as chiefs of volunteer fire departments, provided they abstain from voting on their own appointment, and establishes that a currently serving council member can be appointed as chief with a majority vote from the council.

Furthermore, the bill permits cities to create a fund or reserve savings account specifically for acquiring and maintaining major equipment for police, fire, rescue, or emergency medical services. It mandates that any payments received for damaged equipment or vehicles must be deposited into this designated fund rather than the general fund. If general fund resources are used for repairs or replacements, the city can transfer an equivalent amount from the received payments back into the general fund, with any remaining funds going into the established account. This ensures that cities have dedicated resources for essential emergency services equipment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 362.5, 85.61, 384.3