Public Law, Chapter 636, 123rd Legislature, Second Regular Session

Chapter 636 H.P. 1613 - L.D. 2251

An Act To Establish Municipal Cost Components for Unorganized Territory Services To Be Rendered in Fiscal Year 2008-09 and To Require Notation of Tax Enhancement Programs Approved by the County Commissioners

Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, prompt determination and certification of the municipal cost components in the Unorganized Territory Tax District are necessary to the establishment of a mill rate and the levy of the Unorganized Territory Educational and Services Tax; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §246, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 459, Pt. C, §1, is amended to read:

B. To prepare and submit, by March 1st, annually, a report of his the fiscal administrator's review, analysis and investigation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation, each Legislator representing a county containing unorganized territory and the office of the county commissioners of each county having unorganized territory. The report shall must contain sufficient detail to explain fully each agency or county request and may contain recommendations by the administrator regarding legislative or administrative action . This report must also include information relating to development districts under consideration or approved by the county commissioners under Title 30-A, section 5235 and provide details regarding costs and tax shifts resulting from or anticipated to result from the development district or proposed district;

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §246, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 459, Pt. C, §1, is amended to read:

3. Legislation. The fiscal administrator shall prepare and submit legislation to the Legislature by March 1st, annually, providing for the requests made by counties and state agencies for services provided in the unorganized territory which that are entitled to funding under Title 36, chapter 115. Legislation submitted pursuant to this subsection must also include a notation as to any tax enhancement programs that have been approved by the county commissioners. The administrator shall may not reject or change a budget submitted by a county or state agency without the approval of the county or agency making the request.

Sec. 3. Municipal cost components for services rendered. In accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, chapter 115, the Legislature determines that the net municipal cost component for services and reimbursements to be rendered in fiscal year 2008-09 is as follows:

Audit - Fiscal Administration		$198,294

Education		11,883,253

Forest Fire Protection		160,000

Human Services - General Assistance		62,000

Property Tax Assessment - Operations		799,852

Maine Land Use Regulation Commission - Operations		404,589

TOTAL STATE AGENCIES		$13,507,988

County Reimbursements for Services:

	Aroostook	$822,636
	Franklin	653,984
	Hancock	164,925
	Kennebec	881
	Oxford	459,128
	Penobscot	857,695
	Piscataquis	1,145,517
	Somerset	864,474
	Washington	686,371

TOTAL COUNTY SERVICES		$5,655,611

TOTAL REQUIREMENTS		$19,163,599

COMPUTATION OF ASSESSMENT

Requirements			$19,163,599

Less Deductions:
	General -
		State Revenue Sharing	$290,000
		Homestead Reimbursement	100,000
		Miscellaneous Revenues	50,000
		Transfer from Undesignated Fund Balance	3,000,000

TOTAL			$3,440,000

	Educational -
		Land Reserved Trust	$100,000
		Tuition/Travel	250,000
		Miscellaneous	5,000
		Special - Teacher Retirement	200,000

TOTAL			$555,000

TOTAL DEDUCTIONS			($3,995,000)

TAX ASSESSMENT			$15,168,599

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

Effective April 16, 2008.

Public Laws

123rd Legislature

Second Regular Session

Chapter 636

H.P. 1613 - L.D. 2251