Resolution 2025-079 – A Resolution Approving the Creation of a Reserve Savings Account for the Fire Department for the Acquisition, Possession, and Maintenance of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Service Major Equipment and Vehicles

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-079 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CREATION OF A RESERVE SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION, POSSESSION, AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE, RESCUE, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE MAJOR EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES WHEREAS, the City of Tiffin (hereinafter “City”) is a municipal corporation under Iowa law; and, WHEREAS, the City maintains a fire department pursuant to Iowa Code section 364.16; and, WHEREAS, the City is experiencing rapid growth and a significant increase in demand and need for fire, rescue, and emergency medical services; and, WHEREAS, the General Assembly enacted House File 297, amending Iowa Code section 384.3, effective July 1, 2025; and, WHEREAS, the costs of equipment and vehicles for fire, rescue, and emergency medical services have substantially increased in recent years; and, WHEREAS, the City wishes to create a reserve savings account to help fund future major equipment and vehicle purchases for the fire department; and, WHEREAS, the City Council declares its intention is to provide another option for funding of major equipment and vehicle purchases for the fire department, in addition to any other option allowed by law; and, WHEREAS, the reserve savings account is separate and distinct from any other account or fund for the costs of acquiring, possessing, and purchasing major equipment and vehicles for fire, rescue, and emergency medical service. Now, therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Tiffin, Iowa, as follows: 1. The City shall establish a fire department reserve savings account to be used to pay for costs associated with the acquisition, possession, and maintenance of major fire, rescue, or emergency medical service equipment and vehicles. 2. Funds may be budgeted each fiscal year in an amount to be determined and approved by the City Council for the fire department reserve savings account. 3. Unspent budgeted funds may be transferred and deposited into the reserve savings account prior to the end of each fiscal year with City Council approval. 4. If the City receives a payment, award, judgment, or insurance settlement for damaged fire, rescue, or emergency medical services equipment or vehicles, the City shall deposit the moneys into the reserve savings account rather than the general fund of the City. However, if the City uses moneys from its general fund to cover costs to repair or replace damaged fire, rescue, or emergency medical services equipment or vehicles, the City may deposit into its general fund an amount received from the payment, award, judgment, or insurance settlement that is equal to the amount used 1