LD 1629
pg. 51
Page 50 of 55 RESOLUTION, Proposing a Competing Measure under the Constitution of Maine To Cr... Page 52 of 55
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LR 2165
Item 1

 
bill provides tools enabling the State to pay 55% of the cost of
public education while reducing local property taxes. The
proposed changes in current tax laws make funds available to
serve as financial incentives for municipalities to establish
municipal service districts that will regionalize and create
efficiencies in delivery of public services currently provided by
municipalities. The proposed tax law changes are also intended
to increase Maine's economic competitiveness.

 
PART A

 
Part A provides for establishment of municipal service
districts. This Part induces municipalities to cooperate in the
efficient and effective exercise of municipal obligations and
home-rule authority pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title
30-A, Part 2 through voluntary creation of municipal service
districts. Pursuant to its charter and using home-rule authority
delegated by the municipalities that form it, a municipal service
district will assume its participating municipalities' powers and
duties regarding public education, taxation and budgeting, land
use and other matters. A majority of the voters in each of the
participating municipalities must approve formation of a
municipal service district.

 
PART B

 
Part B of this resolution provides financial incentives for
municipalities to establish municipal service districts to
achieve resulting cost savings and tax burden reductions for
their citizens.

 
It establishes a bonus in general purpose aid for local
schools for municipal service districts. When municipalities
form a municipal service district, the district is entitled to an
annual 10% bonus in general purpose aid for local schools,
calculated as 10% of that to which each of its participating
municipalities is entitled. This incentive will be available to
a municipal service district for 5 years, beginning in the year
following the year in which the district is formed.

 
It provides that the State will annually reimburse municipal
service districts for their participating municipalities' share
of county taxes supporting district attorneys' services, court
rents and services, jails and registries of probate and deeds.
This incentive will be available to a municipal service district
beginning in the year following the year in which the district is
formed.

 
It establishes the Municipal Service District Fund. A
dedicated, special revenue account, this fund will be capitalized


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