Washington County's fire coordinator told the Board of Supervisors that fire districts and volunteer departments must file annual reports in the state fire reporting system to qualify for state rebate payments, and that the state is enforcing the requirement this year.

"As a requirement to receive state rebate funds, the fire districts and fire departments are required to submit annual reports ... This year is the first year they're enforcing the rule that that I just stated," the fire coordinator said during his report. He said he had received an annual report from the town of Arcola but that other districts remained out of compliance.

The coordinator asked supervisors to reach out to the departments and help them complete paperwork and submit reports in the state system, saying, "There will be no state rebate money if they do not complete their annual reports and do not report in the fire reporting system."

Why it matters: State rebate programs are a funding source for volunteer fire districts. Failure to file required reports can result in lost revenue for those districts.

Board action: Supervisors were asked to contact fire departments in their districts and assist with filing. The board did not take a separate vote on the matter beyond receiving the coordinator's report and supporting outreach to departments.

Implementation: Fire coordinator and supervisors will contact districts and monitor filings. The coordinator said he will follow up with the board on compliance status and on the distribution of rebate funds as determined by state rules.