(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has voted to support the formation of a proposed fire district.

Interim Fire Chief Gene Atland appeared before the Commission Monday evening to seek their support for the formation of a fire district that would include the city along with Hiawatha and Padonia Townships.   

Currently, the two townships contract with the city for fire protection.

City Attorney Andy Delaney said the Brown County Commission can create a fire district by resolution or by a petition being submitted containing the signatures of at least 60 percent of the landowners in the proposed district.    

Commissioners directed Delaney and City Administrator Mike Nichols to prepare a resolution of intent to join the district.  The city would have to petition the county to be included.

Delaney said the fire district would provide a larger tax base to support the fire department and tax benefit to city residents.

Nichols plans to meet with county commissioners to see if they are supportive. 

In other business, the Commission approved the designation of 16 additional handicapped parking spaces in the downtown area. An emphasis was placed on trying to place the spaces at the ends and center of each block where possible.   The city had received several requests for the additional handicapped parking spaces.

The Commission also approved an agreement with the Brown County Historical Society donating three city-owned antique fire trucks to the Historical Society. The city will still be able to use the trucks, which date back to 1928, for public events, such parades.