The Lawrence Fire Department is established with volunteer membership
within the Town of Lawrence, funded by the Town of Lawrence and established
under § 60.55(1)(a)1, Wis. Stats.
A separate account for the Municipal Fire Department for
"Fire Volunteer Funds" established in accordance with § 66.0608,
Wis. Stats. "Fire Volunteer Funds" are funds raised by the employees
of the municipality's Fire Department, by volunteers or by donation
to the Fire Department, for the benefit of the municipality's
Fire Department.
A separate account for the municipal first responders for
"First Responder Volunteer Funds" established in accordance with § 66.0608,
Wis. Stats. "First Responder Volunteer Funds" are funds raised by
the municipality's first responders, by volunteers or by donation
to the first responders, for the benefit of the municipality's
first responder program.
Separate accounts. The Fire Department and first responders shall
be allowed to maintain separate banking accounts in the name of the
Fire Department and/or first responders in any public depository which
has been approved by the Town of Lawrence, and those departments shall
have exclusive control over the deposit and expenditure of any volunteer
funds, pursuant to the authority and guidelines granted in this article
by the Town Board.
Ownership of funds. Per § 66.0608(4), Wis. Stats., notwithstanding
this ordinance created to authorize Fire and First Responder Volunteer
Funds, any such volunteer funds shall remain the property of the Town
of Lawrence until the funds are disbursed.
Investments. Any investments of Fire or First Responder Volunteer
Funds shall be limited to allowable municipal investments as outlined
in Town ordinances, Town investment policy, and Wisconsin statutes.
Any investment shall be approved by the Town Clerk/Treasurer prior
to opening any investment account to verify that such an investment
account adheres to any requirements as may be outlined in Town ordinances,
Town investment policy, and Wisconsin statutes.
Limitations. There are no limitations on deposits/donations/contributions
and withdrawals are limited to $1,000 per transaction and any exceeding
withdrawal/disbursements are to be approved by the Town Board, as
is allowable under § 66.0608, Wis. Stats.
Authorized individuals for the funds. The Fire Chief and Assistant
Fire Chief shall have the exclusive authority to deposit and withdraw
funds from these separate banking accounts established for Fire and
First Responder Volunteer Funds. Each person identified shall have
the authority to deposit funds and withdraw funds from this account
in the scope of their official and assigned duties as designated,
required or allowed by the Town Board.
The Fire Chief shall provide a monthly report of the activity of
the Fire and First Responder Volunteer Funds banking accounts to the
Town Clerk/Treasurer. The monthly report, of the prior month account
activity, shall be submitted to the Town Clerk/Treasurer by the eighth
day of every month.
The Town shall require an annual audit of the Volunteer Funds by
both the Town Clerk/Treasurer and the Fire Chief, and as Town-owned
funds, these Volunteer Funds shall also be subject to the regular
annual audit of all Town funds.
Penalty provisions. Violation of any provision of this article could
result in elimination of the privileges granted to maintain such a
separate account for the Fire Department and first responders under
this article. Any violation regarding the misuse or misappropriations
of any Volunteer Funds shall result in the automatic elimination of
the privileges granted under this article.