HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3261

(B)  THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY PROVIDE THE COMMISSION, BY
RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE, WITH WHATEVER POWERS AND DUTIES AND MAY
ESTABLISH WHATEVER TERMS OF OFFICE FOR THE MEMBERS AS THEY DEEM
APPROPRIATE. HOWEVER, THE RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE SHALL INCLUDE
THOSE POWERS AND DUTIES REQUIRED UNDER (C), (E), AND (F) BELOW.

(C)  THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL APPROPRIATE FUNDS
ANNUALLY IN AMOUNTS THEY CONSIDER NECESSARY FOR THE FIRE AND
RESCUE COMMISSION. HOWEVER, THE MINIMUM TOTAL AMOUNT MAY NOT BE
LESS THAN $100,000. THE AMOUNTS DISTRIBUTED TO EACH FIRE AND
RESCUE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH A BUDGET PLAN
APPROVED BY THE FIRE AND RESCUE COMMISSION. THE DISTRIBUTION OF
THE FUNDS SHALL BE MADE BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AFTER
RECEIVING THE APPROVED BUDGET PLAN FROM THE FIRE AND RESCUE

COMMISSION.

(D) ALL PAYMENTS SHALL BE MADE NOT LESS OFTEN THAN

SEMIANNUALLY AND SHALL BE ONE-HALF THE COMMISSION BUDGET PLAN
AMOUNT AUTHORIZED TO INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS.

(E) (D) A FIRE OR RESCUE DEPARTMENT, ANNEX OR SUBSTATION
MAY NOT HOLD REAL PROPERTY OTHER THAN THOSE NOW HOLDING IT UNLESS
THEY ARE APPROVED BY THE FIRE AND RESCUE COMMISSION. THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO FUND OTHERS NOT APPROVED BY
THE COMMISSION.

(F) (E) (1) BEFORE ANY NEW VOLUNTEER FIRE OR RESCUE
DEPARTMENT OR SUBSTATION TO AN EXISTING FIRE OR RESCUE DEPARTMENT
IS AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE IN CALVERT COUNTY OR RECEIVE COUNTY
FUNDS, IT MUST CONFORM TO THE STANDARDS FOR FIRE AND RESCUE
DEPARTMENTS PRESCRIBED BY THE CALVERT COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE
ASSOCIATION AND ADOPTED BY THE CALVERT COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE
COMMISSION. THESE PROVISIONS MAY NOT BE INTERPRETED TO PRECLUDE
THE LOAN OF COUNTY FUNDS TO ANY DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO ITS MEETING
SUBJECT STANDARDS.

(2) BEFORE ANY PRIVATE, COMMERCIAL, OR INDUSTRIAL
FIRE OR AMBULANCE SERVICE IS AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE IN CALVERT
COUNTY IT SHALL ALSO CONFORM TO THE SAME STANDARDS. HOWEVER,
WHEN THE UNITS RECEIVE NO COUNTY FUNDS AND EITHER SPECIALIZED
EQUIPMENT OR HARDSHIPS ARE INVOLVED, THE CALVERT COUNTY FIRE AND
RESCUE COMMISSION, AFTER CONFERRING WITH THE CALVERT COUNTY FIRE
AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION, MAY WAIVE ANY PART OR ALL OF THESE
STANDARDS. ALL UNITS AND EQUIPMENT IN EXISTENCE ON JULY 1, 1975,
SHALL BE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION BY JULY 1, 1976.

(G) (F) EACH FIRE DEPARTMENT, RESCUE SQUAD, ANNEX, OR
SUBSTATION RECEIVING COUNTY FUNDS SHALL BE AUDITED ANNUALLY AND
ALL AUDIT EXPENSES SHALL BE PAID BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

(H) (G) THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY LEND MONETARY AID TO
ANY FIRE DEPARTMENT OR RESCUE SQUAD UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE CALVERT COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE COMMISSION, AND ANY LOANS OF
THIS NATURE SHALL BE MADE WITHOUT ANY PROFIT ACCRUING TO THE
COUNTY.