Answer

R.S. 40:1497 provides that the Secretary/Treasurer of a fire protection district may, but need not, be a member of the board. Further, R.S. 40:1498(A)(2) provides that if a member of the board is elected Secretary/Treasurer, he may be compensated additionally for such office. Based on these provisions, it appears that a board member of a fire protection district may be elected to serve as Secretary/Treasurer and that they may be paid additional compensation for serving in this additional role. The department may want to contact the Board of Ethics, to ensure that nothing within the Code of Governmental Ethics would prohibit this, as the Board of Ethics is the only one that can interpret the provisions of the Code of Ethics. Louisiana Legislative Auditor website: 05/18/2024 09:40:03 PM