131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 49 LR 21(03)
An Act to Authorize the Deorganization of Drew Plantation
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (S-8)
Committee: State and Local Government
             
Fiscal Note
Current biennium cost increase - Education in the Unorganized Territories
Current biennium savings - General Purpose Aid for Local Schools program
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill will become effective only if approved by the voters of Drew Plantation at a special election to be held immediately after this legislation is enacted.  If approved, the deorganization of Drew Plantation will take effect on July 1, 2023.  The Education in the Unorganized Territories program in the Department of Education will incur ongoing General Fund expenditures, estimated to be $69,369 in fiscal year 2023-24, to provide schooling to the students from Drew Plantation.  The General Fund will be fully reimbursed for these costs by higher collections made through the Municipal Cost Component program.  The deorganization of Drew Plantation will result in ongoing savings, estimated to be $27,404 in fiscal year 2023-24, to the General Purpose Aid for Local School (GPA) program within the Department of Education.   
The deorganization of Drew Plantation will reduce General Fund expenditures required to reimburse municipalities for property tax lost under the Tree Growth program by a minor amount. 
Additional costs to the Office of the State Auditor and the Department of Administrative and Financial Services associated with the deorganization of Drew Plantation are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. Additional costs to the Department of Secretary of State associated with the filing of certain election results can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.