(a) For use in protecting bridges, county shops, county warehouses, and other property located outside the municipalities in a county with a population of 350,001 to 449,999, the commissioners court of the county may:
(1) purchase fire trucks and other fire-fighting equipment; and
(2) contract with a centrally located municipality within the county for the operation and maintenance of the equipment.
(b) In a county with a population of less than 20,000 and a property valuation of more than $100 million according to the most recently approved county tax rolls, the commissioners court of the county may:
(1) contract with the governing bodies of municipalities in the county for the furnishing by the municipalities of fire protection outside the municipalities; and
(2) appropriate funds to pay the municipalities.