2006 New Mexico Statutes - Section 59A-53-3 — Determination and certification of needs.

59A-53-3. Determination and certification of needs.

A.     Annually, on or before the last day of May, the marshal shall consider and determine, in his reasonable discretion, the relative needs of incorporated cities, towns and villages and county fire districts for money in the fire protection fund, based upon the information available to him, and shall certify to the state treasurer the names of the incorporated cities, towns, villages and county fire districts that he determines need the assistance of a distribution from the money in the fire protection fund, and the amount required by each, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 59A, Article 53 NMSA 1978.  In making this determination and certification, the marshal will consider the intent and purpose of that article that no incorporated city, town or village or county fire district shall receive money distributed from the fire protection fund merely for the purpose of accumulation when the money is not required to accomplish the purposes of that article.   

B.     In making a determination and certification of needs, the marshal shall consider and provide for any debt obligations of existing or previously existing fire departments or fire districts.   

C.     For the purposes of Chapter 59A, Article 53 NMSA 1978, "marshal" means the state fire marshal, as further identified in Chapter 59A, Article 52 NMSA 1978.