Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
HF 683 – Fire Districts (LSB1772HV)
Staff Contact: Michael Guanci (515.725.1286) michael.guanci@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – New
Description
House File 683 repeals the pilot program for emergency response districts under Iowa Code
chapter 357J and replaces the pilot program with a new government entity under the same
name. The Bill further requires a city in which a Regents institution is located to maintain a fire
department separate from the city’s police department.
Background
The pilot program for emergency response districts was established under 2008 Iowa Acts,
chapter 1152. As of FY 2021, there are no known districts levying for property taxes under this
pilot program.
Beginning in 2005, the city of Cedar Falls began transitioning toward a public safety model in
which employees are cross-trained and certified as both police officers and fire fighters. This
model is referred to as a public safety officer (PSO) model. Since 2016, all new hires to the
Public Safety Services office are trained as PSOs. In March 2020, the Cedar Falls City Council
voted to require the remaining fire fighters on staff to move toward being certified under the
PSO model.
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI), a Regents institution, is located in Cedar Falls. In an
agreement with the city, UNI pays 16.0% of the city’s net annual fire department expenses. In
FY 2020, UNI paid $564,000 in fire department-related expenses.
Assumptions
It is not known if any emergency response districts will be established under the provisions of
this Bill.
To comply with the Bill provisions requiring a city with a Regents institution to maintain a fire
department separate from the city’s police department, the city of Cedar Falls may need to
reorganize the city’s Public Safety Services office into two separate departments. Public safety
costs are primarily paid from the city’s general fund, or the $8.10 levy, which may increase
property taxes.
Fiscal Impact
The city of Cedar Falls estimates that under the provisions of this Bill, to provide the same
service and personal response under separate departments will increase public safety budget
costs by $2.0 million per year.
For estimation purposes, it is assumed the increase will be spread proportionally across the fire
and police departments’ budgets. Based on FY 2021 budget estimates, UNI’s expenses for fire
department costs will increase by $112,000 (19.9%) per year.
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Sources
Department of Management
City of Cedar Falls, Public Safety Services Office
City of Cedar Falls, FY21 Budget Highlights by Division
Board of Regents
/s/ Holly M. Lyons
March 8, 2021
Doc ID 1214332
The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code. Data used in
developing this fiscal note is available from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services
Agency upon request.
www.legis.iowa.gov
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Statutes affected:
Introduced: 357J.1, 357J.2, 357J.3, 357J.4, 364.16