Cities could form districts to provide shared fire and emergency medical services

Two or more cities, villages, or towns could form a separate district to provide fire protection, emergency medical services, or both. A municipality that joins must place all its territory in the district, and its territory may belong to only one district. Each sponsoring municipality must adopt a resolution declaring its intent to create the district and approve an agreement on board membership and issues open to veto review. The district must begin providing services on January 1 of the year after its board members are elected.

The district could raise money through a property tax, service fees, or borrowing for capital projects. The district could tax property within its boundaries, charge for services to member or contracting municipalities, and borrow for capital improvements to property or facilities. Annual property tax increases would be limited by the district's valuation factor. A fee imposed instead of a property tax would need approval by voters in every district municipality and could not raise more than the property tax raised in the last year it was imposed.

Each joining municipality would have to transfer certain property and debt to the district. The required transfers include real property and attachments related to the services the district will provide, vehicles and specialized equipment worth at least $20,000, and debt tied to those assets. An existing joint department covered by a district would also have to transfer property subject to transfer. Other property or assets could be transferred, sold, leased, or donated; if the district does not want an item, it could go to another person. Unused property or assets must be returned to the municipalities. The transfers apply when a municipality joins the district.