WHAT ARE PERMISSIBLE INVESTMENTS OF FIREFIGHTERS RELIEF FUNDS?
The officers of a firefighters relief association may invest any amount, not to exceed 90% of all such moneys:
(a) In investments authorized by K.S.A. 12-1675 and amendments thereto in the manner prescribed therein.
(b) In purchasing bonds of the city, township, county or fire district in which such firefighters relief association is located.
When such investments are not obtainable:
(c) United States government bonds may be purchased.
(d) Municipal bonds or other obligations issued by any municipality of the state of Kansas as defined in K.S.A. 10-1101, and amendments thereto, which are general obligations of the municipality issuing the same may be purchased.
Such investment shall be approved by the governing body of such city, township, county or fire district.
WHAT ARE PERMISSIBLE DISBURSEMENTS OF FIREFIGHTERS RELIEF FUNDS?
1. Payment of benefits to a member physically disabled in or by reason of the discharge of their duties as a firefighter.
2. Payment of gratuities to the surviving spouse or dependents of a member who is killed in the discharge of their duties as a firefighter, or who dies from injuries received or disease contracted by reason of their duties as a firefighter.
3. Payment of funeral expenses of a member killed in the discharge of their duties as a firefighter, or by reason of injuries received or disease contracted therefrom.
4. Purchase of insurance which will provide for any of the foregoing benefits as set forth in Section 40-1707 of the Firefighters Relief Act and the applicable rules and regulations 40-10-5 and 40-10-6 which govern the purchase of insurance coverage.
5. Payment of pensions to members of full-paid fire departments who are unfit for service after having served for a period of not less than 20 years on the department. Such pensions cannot exceed one-half of the monthly salary at the date of retirement.
6. In any fire department consisting of volunteer firefighters, such moneys may be used to establish an annuity for each firefighter who served for not less than 20 years with such fire department and who attended and fought not less than 75% of the fires which were attended by such fire department during such period of time and which the firefighter was available to attend, as verified by the governing body of such fire department, but such annuity shall not exceed the amount paid to fully paid members of fire departments of comparable size to such volunteer department.
7. Firefighters Relief Funds may not be expended for any purpose not enumerated above.
(a) Specifically the fund may not be used for:
(1) Expenses of members attending conventions.
(2) Donations to cities, townships, counties or fire districts.
(3) Dues to the Kansas State Firefighters Association, Inc.
(4) Purchase or cleaning of clothing.
(5) Banquets, luncheons, dances, etc.
(6) Capital expenditures.
(b) The use of funds for any purpose contrary to the provisions of the Firefighters Relief Act will subject the Association to loss of any further distribution of receipts from the Firefighters Relief tax until restitution is made.
(1) Misuse of Association funds must be reported by the Insurance Commissioner to the County Attorney of the County wherein the Association is located.
(2) It is the duty of the County Attorney to institute proceedings for recovery of the misused funds.
(3) Distribution can be made again only when the County Attorney notifies the Commissioner of Insurance that the condition of the Association has been corrected.
(1) Two financial statement forms will be sent to the Firefighters Relief Association treasurer, one to be returned to the insurance commissioner and the other to be kept as a record by the treasurer. This report must be returned on or before April 1. It must be a verified account showing in full receipts and disbursements and general condition of the Firefighters Relief tax funds received by the association for the year ending on the preceding December 31. Interest from bank balance must be itemized under income. Only funds received from the insurance commissioner, and interest received from such funds shall be included in such report. Assets transferred from one type of security to another must not be shown under income and disbursements. Disbursements must be fully itemized in detail. Assets at the end of the period after disbursements have been deducted must balance.
(2) Annual declaration blanks are sent to the mayor, township trustee, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, as the case may be, who must return one fully executed copy to the Insurance Conrmissioner. Such annual declaration to show:
(a) Firefighting equipment owned which must be of a value of $5,000 or more;
(b) Whether department is a full-paid or a volunteer department; and
(c) The number of volunteer and paid (salaried) firefighters.
(d) The name of the treasurer of the Firefighters Relief Association. It is necessary for the Insurance Commissioner to receive this declaration before such city, township, county or fire district can be listed as qualifying to participate in the Firefighters Relief Tax for the succeeding year.
(3) Supplementary Report which shows the names of the Firefighters, volunteer or full paid, kinds of insurance, total premium, amount paid by association, amount paid by firefighter, beneficiary and is policy coverage limited to fire duties.
(4) Firefighters Relief Fund Investment Report which shows type of investment, amount of investment and institution.
(5) Form A which indicates a change in the office of Firefighters Relief Association Treasurer.
(6) Certification of Population and Assessed tangible property valuation form which is sent to the county clerk for completion.