An Act To Initiate the Intergovernmental Advisory Commission's Blueprint for Government
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0214
Committee: State and Local Government
Amends: 30-A MRSA §721, 30-A MRSA §723, 30-A MRSA §725, 30-A MRSA §726, 30-A MRSA §739, 30-A MRSA §739-B, 30-A MRSA §739-C, 30-A MRSA §751, 30-A MRSA §753, 30-A MRSA §754, 30-A MRSA §831, 30-A MRSA §833, 30-A MRSA §835, 30-A MRSA §836, 30-A MRSA §851, 30-A MRSA §853, 30-A MRSA §855, 30-A MRSA §856, 30-A MRSA §862, 30-A MRSA §874, 30-A MRSA §891, 30-A MRSA §893, 30-A MRSA §89, 30-A MRSA §897, 30-A MRSA §899-A, 30-A MRSA §900-K, 30-A MRSA §900-N

Legislative Document 
No. 214 
H.P. 185 
House of Representatives, January 16, 2007 
An Act To Initiate the Intergovernmental Advisory Commission's 
Blueprint for Government 
Reported by Representative BARSTOW of Gorham for the Intergovernmental Advisory 
Commission pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 2181, subsection 4, 
paragraph F. 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed 
under Joint Rule 218. 
Pnnted nn recycled papt:r 
7Yj~ 
1h.1J?d£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
De it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §721, as amended by PL 1999, c. 253, § 1, is further amended 
to read: 
§721. Purpose 
The purpose of this article is to establish in Androscoggin County a method of 
appropriating money for county expenditures, including the salaries for county officers, 
according to a budget that must first be adopted is reviewed by a budget advisory 
committee and must then be submitted to adopted by the county commissioners. This 
article amends the statutory method in sections 2, 701 and 702 by creating a committee 
elected by' Androscoggin County municipal officers with authority to adopt or amend the 
budget subject to Fe't'iew and revision by the county commissioners and, if re'iised, 
subject to subsequent acceptance or rejection by the budget committee as provided in this 
aftiele. This article applies only to Androscoggin County. 
Sec. 2. 30-A MRSA §723, first ~, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and 
Pt. C, § 106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
further amended to read: 
In Androscoggin County there is established a budget advisory committee to carry 
out the purposes of this article. 
Sec. 3. 30-A MRSA §723, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1999, c. 253, §4, is further 
amended to read: 
2. 
Duties. The county budget advisory committee shall review the budget and 
estimates, including the salaries for county officers, prepared by the county 
commissioners, and shall approve a final county budget as provided in this article and 
make recommendations to the county commissioners. 
Sec. 4. 30-A MRSA §725, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and 
Pt. C, § 1 06 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
further amended to read: 
3. Budget advisory committee process. After the public hearing required under 
subsection 2 is completed, the budget advisory committee may make recommendations to 
increase, decrease, alter or revise the proposed budgets provided that as long as: 
A. 
The budget advisory committee shall enter enters into its minutes an explanation 
for any recommended change in the estimated expenditures and revenues as initially 
presented by the county commissioners; and 
B. 
The total estimated revenues, together with the amount of county tax to be 
levied, mast equal the total estimated expenditures. 
Sec. 5. 30-A MRS A §725, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and 
Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
further amended to read: 
Page I - 123LR0270(OI)-1 
" 
t 
• 
4. Public hearing on revised budget. The budget committee county commissioners 
shall hold at least one additional public hearing in the county on the proposed budget, as 
re"ised by the budget committee including the recommendations from the budget 
advisory committee, before the end of the county's fiscal year and before the final 
adoption of the budget. Notice of the hearing must be given at least 1 0 days before the 
hearing in all newspapers of general circulation within the county. Written notice and a 
copy of the proposed budget sftal.l must be mailed or delivered in person to the clerk of 
each municipality in the county. The municipal clerk shall notify the municipal officials 
of the proposed budget. 
Sec. 6. 30-A MRSA §725, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1999, c. 253, §5, is further 
1 
amended to read: 
5. Adoption of budget. After the public hearing or hearings held under subsection 4 
are completed, the budget committee shall adopt a final budget and transmit that budget 
te-tfle county commissioners shall adopt a final budget by a majority vote of the county 
commissioners at a duly called meeting not later than December 15th. 
The county 
commissioners may not revise the budget adopted by the budget committee, except by 
unanimous vote of the commissioners elected. If the adopted budget is changed b)' the 
county commissioners, the budget committee may reject that change by a 2/3 vote of its 
membership. Those actions are final and are not subject to further action by either county 
commissioners or the budget committee. 
The budget and the capital improvement 
program submitted under subsection 1 must be finally adopted by a majority vote of the 
budget committee at a duly called meeting held before the end of the county's fiscal year. 
Sec. 7. 30-A MRSA §725, sub-§7, as amended by PL 1999, c. 253, §7, is further 
amended to read: 
7. Assessment of taxes. The budget as approved under this article is the final 
authorization for the assessment of county taxes. The budget must be sent to the count)' 
commissioners and the county tax authorized ~ apportioned and collected in accordance 
with section 706. 
Sec. 8. 30-A MRSA §726, as amended by PL 1999, c. 253, §9, is further amended 
to read: 
§726. Budget amendments 
The approved budget governs the expenditures of the county during the fiscal year. 
No expenses may be incurred in excess of those shown in the approved budget, but the 
county commissioners may transfer funds as provided in section 922, and the budget may 
be from time to time revised by the preparation and submission of a proposed amended 
budget by the county commissioners to the budget committee. The budget committee 
shall within 15 calendar days approve, disapprove or amend this revised budget. 
This 
proposed amended budget must be submitted to the county budget advisory committee 
for review. 
Any recommendations by this committee must be submitted within 10 
calendar days. 
The county commissioners have final authority to adopt budget 
amendments. A report of approval of a revised budget must be transmitted to the State 
Auditor within 15 days of the approval. 
Sec. 9. 30-A MRSA §739, sub-§l, V, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 475, §§I and 2, 
is amended to read: 
F. 
The county finance committee shall review and approve and make 
recommendations on the budget and estimates, including the budget for municipal 
services in the unorganized territory prepared by the county commissioners. 
Sec. 10. 30-A MRSA §739-B, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 475, §§1 and 2, 
is amended to read: 
2. 
Budget review process. 
The finance committee shall revIew the itemized 
estimated budget prepared 
by the county commISSIoners, 
together with any 
supplementary material prepared by the head of each county department or provided by 
any independent board or institution or another governmental agency. 
The finance 
committee shall prepare a proposed budget and may make recommendations to increase, 
decrease or alter the estimated budget proyided that as long as: 
.. 
A. 
The finance committee enters into its minutes an explanation for any suggested 
change in the estimated expenditures and revenues as initially presented by the 
county commissioners; and 
B. 
In the proposed \:mdget, the The total estimated revenues, together with the 
amount of county tax to be levied, ~ 
equal the total estimated expenditures. 
Sec. 11. 30-A MRS A §739-B, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 475, §§ 1 and 2, 
is amended to read: 
3. Public hearing. The finance committee county commissioners shall hold a public 
hearing in the county on its the proposed budget before the end of the county's fiscal year 
and before the final adoption of the budget. Notice of the hearing shalt must be given at 
least 10 days before the hearing in all newspapers of general circulation within the 
county. Written notice and a copy of the proposed budget shalt must be sent by mail, or 
delivered in person, to the clerk of each municipality in the county. The municipal clerk 
shall notify the municipal officials of the proposed budget. 
Sec. 12. 30-A MRSA §739-B, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 475, §§ 1 and 2, 
is amended to read: 
4. Finality of budget. After the public hearing is completed, the finance committee 
shall adopt a final budget and transmit that budget to the county commissioners shall 
adopt a final budget by a majority vote of the county commissioners at a duly called 
meeting not later than December 15th. 
The county commissioners shall not fHrther 
increase, decrease, alter or revise the budget as adopted by the finance committee, except 
by unanimous vote of the count;' commissioners. If the adopted budget is changed by the 
count;' commissioners, the finance committee may reject that change by a 2/3 vote of its 
membership. Those actions shall be final and not subject to fHrtheF action by either the 
count;' commissioners or finance committee. 
Sec. 13. 30':'A MRSA §739-B, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 475, §§l and 2, 
is amended to read: 
5. Assessment of taxes. The budget as so adopted and changed under subsection 4 
is the final authorization for the assessment of county taxes. The approved final Budget 
shall Be sent to the eounty eommissioners and the county tax authorized sfla.I-l must be 
apportioned and collected in accordance with section 706. The approved final budget for 
the unorganized territories sfla.I-l must be sent to the State as provided by section 7503. 
Sec. 14. 30-A MRSA §739-C, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 475, §§1 and 2, is 
amended to read: 
§739-C. Budget amendments 
The approved final budget shall govern governs the expenditures of the county during 
the fiscal year. No expenses may be incurred in excess of those shown in the approved 
final budget, but the budget may be from time to time revised by the preparation and 
submission of a proposed amended budget by the county commissioners to the finanee 
committee for approval. Only after the finance committee has approved an amended 
approved final Budget, shall the amendment Become effective. This proposed amended 
budget must be submitted to the finance committee for review. Any recommendations by 
this committee must be submitted within 10 calendar days. The county commissioners 
have final authority to adopt budget amendments. A report of approval of an amended 
budget sfla.I-l must be transmitted to the State Auditor within 15 days of an approval of an 
amended budget by the finance committee. 
Sec. 15. 30-A MRS A §751, first~, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 257, is amended to 
read: 
In Knox County, there is established a budget advisory committee to carry out the 
purposes of this article. As used in this article, "county commissioners" means the county 
commissioners of Knox County. 
Sec. 16. 30-A MRSA §751, sub-§I, ~, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 257, IS 
amended to read: 
F. 
The county budget advisory committee shall review the itemized estimated 
budget prepared by the county commissioners, prepare a proposed budget and after a 
pUBlic hearing approve a final budget. 
Sec. 17. 30-A MRSA §753, as amended by PL 1993, c. 345, §§2 and 3, is further 
1 
amended to read: 
§753. Budget procedures 
1. Proposed budget. The county commissioners shall submit an itemized estimated 
budget, as described in sections 701, 702 and 7503, in the form ofa budget, to the budget 
advisory committee in a timely fashion no later than 60 days before the end of the 
county's fiscal year. The county commissioners must identify in the itemized estimated 
budget all revenue sources, including balances in reserve accounts and other such funds, 
used in arriving at their budget estimates. 
2. 
Budget review process. 
The budget advisory committee shall revie\v the 
itemized estimated budget prepared by the county commissioners, together with any 
supplementary material prepared by each county department or provided by any 
independent board or institution or another governmental agency. The budget committee 
may use the surplus balance in any reserve account retained by the coun!)' after the 
purposes for which the account was created are accomplished or abandoned to reduce the 
coun!)' tax levy in the same manner as coun!)' commissioners are authorized to do under 
section 921. The budget advisory committee shall prepare a proposed budget and may 
make recommendations to increase, decrease or alter the itemized estimated budget if: 
lOA. 
The budget advisory committee records in its minutes an explanation for any 
suggested change in the itemized estimated budget initially presented by the county 
commissioners; and 
B. 
The total estimated revenues, together with the amount of county tax to be 
levied, etfWls equal the total estimated expenditures in the proposed budget. 
3. Public hearing. The budget committee county commissioners shall hold a public 
hearing in the county on tts the proposed budget before the end of the county's fiscal year 
and before the final adoption of the budget. Notice of the hearing must be given at least 
days before the hearing in all newspapers of general circulation within the county. 
Written notice and a copy of the proposed budget must be sent by mail or delivered in 
person to the clerk of each municipality in the county. The municipal clerk shall notify 
the municipal officials of the receipt of the proposed budget. 
4. Finality of budget. After the public hearing is completed, the budget committee 
shall adopt a final budget and transmit that budget to the county commissioners shall 
adopt a final budget by a majority vote of the county commissioners at a duly called 
meeting not later than December 15th. 
The coun!)' commissioners may not further 
increase, decrease, alter or revise the budget as adopted by the budget committee, except 
b)' unanimous vote of the coun!)' commissioners. If the adopted budget is changed by the 
coun!)' commissioners, the budget committee may reject that change by a 2/3 vote of its 
membership. Those actions are final and are not subject to further action by either the 
coun!)' commissioners or the budget committee. 
5. Assessment of taxes. The budget as adopted and changed under subsection 4 is 
the final authorization for the assessment of county taxes. The apprm'ed final budget 
must be sent to the co un!)' commissioners and the county tax authorized is apportioned 
and collected in accordance with section 706. 
6. Interim budget. Until a budget is finally approved, the county shall operate on an 
interim budget that may not exceed the previous year's budget. 
7. Transfer of funds. The county commissioners may transfer funds as provided in 
section 922. 
Sec. 18. 30-A MRSA §754, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 257, is amended to read: 
• 
§754. Budget amendments 
The approved final budget governs the expenditures of the county during the fiscal 
year. Expenses may not be incurred in excess of those shown in the approved final 
budget. The budget may be revised if the county commissioners prepare and submit a 
proposed budget amendment to the budget advisory committee for approval. 
+He 
amended budget becomes effective only after the budget committee has approved the 
amendment. The budget advisory committee must submit any recommendations to the 
county commissioners within 10 calendar days. The county commissioners have final 
authority to adopt budget amendments. A report of an approval of a budget amendment 
must be transmitted to the State Auditor within 15 days of that approval by the budget 
advisory committee. 
Sec. 19. 30-A MRSA §831, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 623, §1, is amended to 
read: 
§831. Committee established 
IS 
There is established the York County Budget Advisory Committee, referred to in this 
article as the "budget advisory committee," to carry out the purposes of this article. As 
used in this article, "county commissioners" means the county commissioners of York 
County and "county" means York County. 
Sec. 20. 30-A MRSA §833, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 623, § 1, is amended to 
read: 
§833. Budget procedures 
1. Budget procedures. The county commissioners shall submit itemized finance 
estimates in the form of a budget to the budget advisory committee no later than 60 days 
before the end of the county's fiscal year. 
2. 
Budget review process. 
The budget advisory committee shall review the 
itemized estimated budget prepared by the county commissioners, together with any 
supplementary material prepared by the head of each county department or provided by 
any independent board or institution or another governmental agency. 
The budget 
advisory committee shall prepare a proposed budget and may make recommendations to 
increase, decrease or alter the estimated budget as long as: 
A. 
The budget advisory committee enters into its minutes an explanation for any 
suggested change in the estimated expenditures and revenues as initially presented by 
the county commissioners; and 
B. 
In the proposed budget, the The total estimated revenues, together with the 
amount of county tax to be levied, equal the total estimated expenditures. 
3. Public hearing. The budget committee county commissioners shall hold a public 
hearing in the county on the proposed budget before the end of the county's fiscal year 
and before the final adoption of the budget. Notice of the hearing must be given in all 
newspapers of general circulation within the county at least 10 days before the hearing. 
Written notice and a copy of the proposed budget must be sent by mail, or delivered in 
person, to the clerk of each municipality in the county. The municipal clerk shall notify 
the municipal officials of the proposed budget. 
4. Adoption of budget; tax levy. After the public hearing is completed, the bHdget 
eommittee county commissioners shall adopt a final budget and transmit that budget to 
the eount)' eommissioners by majority vote at a duly called meeting not later than 
December 15th. The budget adopted and changed under this subsection is the final 
authorization for the assessment of county taxes, and the county tax authorized is 
apportioned and collected in accordance with section 706. 
A.. 
The budget adopted b)' the budget eommittee ma)' be ehanged only by a 
majorit)' Yote of the eount)' eommissioners and a majorit)' yote of all eleeted 
members of the budget eommittee. Those aetions are final and are not subjeet to 
further aetion b)' either the eount)' eommissioners or the budget eommittee. 
B. 
The budget adopted and ehanged under this subseetion is the final authorization 
for the assessment of eount)' taxes and the eount)' tax authorized is apportioned and 
eolleeted in aeeordaAee with seetion 70€i. 
Sec. 21. 30-A MRSA §835, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 623, § 1, is amended to 
read: 
§835. Filing of final budget 
The budget eommittee county commissioners shall file a copy of the final budget 
with the State Auditor on forms approved by the Department of Audit. The State Auditor 
shall retain the forms for 3 years. 
Sec. 22. 30-A MRSA §836, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 623, § 1, is repealed. 
Sec. 23. 30-A MRSA §851, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and Pt. C, 
§ 1 06 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is further 
amended to read: 
§851. Purpose 
The purpose of this article is to establish in Waldo County a method of appropriating 
money for county expenditures, according to a budget, which must first reeeive approval 
of a budget eommittee the county commissioners have the final authority to adopt. This 
article amends the statutory method in sections 2, 701 and 702 by transferring the 
authority of the Waldo County legislative delegation and the Legislature to approve the 
Waldo County budget to a eommittee eomprised the county commissioners of Waldo 
County and munieipal offieials. This article applies only to Waldo County. 
Sec. 24. 30-A MRSA §853, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and 
Pt. C, § 1 06 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
further amended to read: 
• 
2. Duties. The county budget advisory committee shall review the budget estimates 
prepared by the county commissioners and approve a fiRal CO\:lRt)' b\:ldget make 
recommendations. 
Sec. 25. 30-A MRS A §855, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and 
Pt. C, § 106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
further amended to read: 
2. 
Budget review process. 
The budget advisory committee shall review the 
proposed itemized budget prepared by the county commissioners, together with any 
supplementary material prepared by the head of each county department or provided by 
any independent board or institution or another governmental agency. 
The budget 
advisory committee may make recommendations to increase, decrease, alter or revise the 
proposed budget, provided that as long as: 
A. 
The budget advisory committee shall eRter enters into its minutes an explanation 
for any proposed change in the estimated expenditures and revenues as initially 
presented by the county commissioners; and 
B. 
The total estimated revenues, together with the amount of county tax to be 
levied, ffl\:ISt equal the total estimated expenditures. 
Sec. 26. 30-A MRSA §855, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and 
Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
further amended to read: 
3. Public hearing. The b\:ldget committee county commissioners shall hold a public 
hearing in the county on the proposed budget before the end of the county's fiscal year 
and before the final adoption of the budget. Notice of the hearing sfl.all must be given at 
least 10 days before the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation within the county. 
Written notice and a copy of the proposed budget 5flall must be sent by registered or 
certified mail with return receipt requested, or delivered in person, with proof received of 
the delivel)', to the clerk of each municipality in the county. The municipal clerk shall 
notify the municipal officers of the proposed budget. 
Sec. 27. 30-A MRSA §855, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and 
Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
further amended to read: 
4. Adoption of budget. After the public hearing is completed, the budget committee 
county commissioners may further increase, decrease, alter and revise the proposed 
itemized budget, subject to the conditions and restrictions imposed in subsection 2. The 
proposed itemized budget must be finally adopted by a majority vote of the bOOget 
committee county commissioners at a duly called meeting not later than the end of the 
county's fiscal year. The approved budget is the final authorization for the assessment of 
county taxes. The budget shall be seRt to the county commissioners and the county tax 
authorized shaU must be apportioned and collected in accordance with section 706. 
Sec. 28. 30-A MRSA §856, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and Pt. C, 
§106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is further 
amended to read: 
§856. Budget amendments 
The approved budget shall goyern governs the expenditures of the county during the 
fiscal year. No expenses may be incurred in excess of those shown in the approved 
budget, but the budget may be revised from time to time by the preparation and 
submission of a proposed amended budget by the county commissioners to the budget 
advisory committee. 
The budget advisory committee shall render, not less than 15 
calendar days, except in emergencies, nor more than 30 days after the submission to it, a 
decisioArecommendations on any such revised budget. The county commissioners have 
final authority to adopt budget amendments. An approved revised budget sJ:ta.I.l must be 
transmitted to the State Auditor within 15 days of the budget advisory committee's action. 
Sec. 29. 30-A MRSA §862, first~, as amended by PL 2001, c. 471, Pt. B, §16 
and affected by § 18, is further amended to read: 
In Kennebec County there is established the Kennebec County Budget Advisory 
Committee to carry out the purposes of this article. The budget advisory committee 
consists of 9 elected or appointed municipal officials and a subcommittee of 6 nonvoting 
members of the county legislative delegation or their designees as provided in this 
section. 
Sec. 30. 30-A MRS A §864, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2001, c. 170, §4, IS 
further amended to read: 
2. Budget review process. The budget advisory committee shall deyelop a proposed 
budget follo'...,iAg reyiew of review the itemized budget estimate prepared by the county 
commissioners, together with any supplementary material prepared by the head of each 
county department or provided by any independent board or institution or another 
governmental agency. 
The budget advisory committee may propose that the budget 
estimate be increased, decreased, altered or revised, provided that as long as: 
A. 
The budget advisory committee enters into its minutes an explanation for any 
recommended change in the estimated expenditures and revenues as initially 
presented by the county commissioners; and 
B. 
The total estimated revenues, together with the amount of county tax to be 
levied, ~ 
equal the total estimated expenditures. 
Sec. 31. 30-A MRS A §864, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2001, c. 170, §4, IS 
further amended to read: 
3. Public hearing. The budget committee county commissioners shall hold at least 
public hearings in the county on the proposed budget before the end of the county's 
fiscal year aAd before submittiAg the budget to the commissioners. At least one public 
hearing must be held in the northern part of the county and at least one public hearing 
must be held in the southern part of the county. Notice of the hearing must be given at 
least 10 days before the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation within the county. 
Sec. 32. 30-A MRS A §864, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2001, c. 170, §4, is 
further amended to read: 
4. 
Approval of budget. 
After the public hearings are completed, the bOOget 
committee county commissioners shall adopt a final budget and shall submit that budget 
to the county commissioners for review not later than the end of the coun1)"s fiscal year, 
subject to the conditions and restrictions imposed in subsection 2 by majority vote at a 
duly called meeting not later than December 15th. The coun1)' commissioners may not 
revise the budget adopted by the budget committee except by unanimol:1s 't'ote of the 
1 
cOl:1n1)' commissioners. If the adopted budget is changed by the coun1)' commissioners, 
the bl:1dget committee may reject that change by a 2/3 vote of its membership. Those 
actions are final and are not subject to further action by either the coun1)' commissioners 
or the budget committee. 
Sec. 33. 30-A MRSA §874, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 495, is amended 
to read: 
2. 
Budget review process. 
The advisory committee shall review the itemized 
estimated 
budget prepared 
by the county commissioners, together with any 
supplementary material prepared by the head of each county department or provided by 
any independent board or institution or another governmental agency. 
The advisory 
committee shall prepare a proposed budget and may make recommendations to increase, 
decrease or alter the estimated budget as long as: 
A. 
The advisory committee enters into its minutes an explanation for any suggested 
change in the estimated expenditures and revenues as initially presented by the 
county commissioners; and 
B. 
In the proposed budget, the The total estimated revenues, together with the 
amount of county tax to be levied, equal the total estimated expenditures. 
Sec. 34. 30-A MRSA §874, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 495, is amended 
to read: 
3. Public hearing. The advisory committee county commissioners shall hold a 
public hearing in the county on the proposed budget before the end of the county's fiscal 
year and before the final adoption of the budget. Notice of the hearing must be given in 
all newspapers of general circulation within the county at least 10 days before the 
hearing. Written notice and a copy of the proposed budget must be sent by mail, or 
delivered in person, to the clerk of each municipality in the county. The municipal clerk 
shall notify the municipal officials of the proposed budget. 
Sec. 35. 30-A MRSA §874, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 495, is amended 
to read: 
4. Finality of budget. After the public hearing is completed, the advisory committee 
county commissioners shall adopt a final budget and transmit that budget to the coun1)' 
oommissioners by majority vote at a duly called meeting not later than December 15th. 
The oounty commissioners may not further inorease, deorease, alter or re'iise the budget 
adopted by the advisory oommittee, exoept by unanimous vote of the ootmty 
oommissioners. If the adopted budget is ohanged by the county commissioners, the 
ad"isory committee may reject that change by a 2/3 'iote of its membership. Those 
aotions are final and are not subjeot to fHFther action by either the oounty commissioners 
or the ad'iisoF)' oommittee. 
Sec. 36. 30-A MRSA §891, as corrected by RR 1991, c. 1, §39, is amended to 
read: 
§891. Budget; appropriations and approval 
Notwithstanding sections 2, 701 
and 702, in Oxford County the county 
commissioners may appropriate money, according to a budget that must be prepared 
reviewed by the Oxford County Budget Advisory Committee and approved by the county 
commissioners. A unanimous vote of the county oommissioners is required to ohange the 
budget as presented b~' the Oxford County Budget Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 37. 30-A MRSA §893, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2005, c. 29, §1, is further 
amended to read: 
2. 
Budget estimate; submission to budget advisory committee. 
The Oxford 
County commissioners shall submit a budget estimate for the coming year to the budget 
advisory committee no later than November 1st of each year. 
The budget advisory 
committee shall review the budget estimate and prepare the budget. The budget must be 
presented make any recommendations to the county commissioners before December 1 st 
of each year. The county commissioners shall aot on the budget if) a timel)' fashion, not 
adopt a final budget at a duly called meeting no later than the 3rd Tuesday in December 
of the year preceding the budget year. If the adopted budget is changed by the county 
oommissioners, the budget advisoF)' committee may reject that change by a 2/3 vote of its 
membership. Those actions are final and not sHbject to further action by either the county 
oommissioners or the budget advisoF)' committee. 
Sec. 38. 30-A MRSA §89S, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 582, § 1, is amended to 
read: 
§895. Committee established 
There is established the Somerset County Budget Advisory Committee, referred to in 
this article as the "budget advisory committee," to carry out the purposes of this article. 
As used in this article, "county commissioners" means the county commissioners of 
Somerset County. 
Sec. 39. 30-A MRS A §897, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 582, §1, is 
amended to read: 
2. 
Budget review process. 
The budget advisory committee shall review the 
itemized estimated budget prepared by the county commissioners, together with any 
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supplementary material prepared by the head of each county department or provided by 
any independent board or institution or other governmental agency. The budget advisory 
committee shall prepare a proposed budget and may make recommendations to increase, 
decrease or alter the estimated budget as long as: 
A. 
The budget advisory committee enters into its minutes an explanation for any 
suggested change in the estimated expenditures and revenues as initially presented by 
the county commissioners; and 
B. 
In the proposed budget, the The total estimated revenues, together with the 
amount of county tax to be levied, equal the total estimated expenditures. 
Sec. 40. 30-A MRSA §897, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 582, § 1, IS 
amended to read: 
3. Public hearing. The budget committee county commissioners shall hold a public 
hearing in the county on the proposed budget before the end of the county's fiscal year 
and before final adoption of the budget. Notice of the hearing must be given in all 
newspapers of general circulation within the county at least 10 days before the hearing. 
Written notice and a copy of the proposed budget must be sent by mail or delivered in 
person to the clerk of each municipality in the county. The municipal clerk shall notify 
the municipal officials of the proposed budget. 
Sec. 41. 30-A MRSA §897, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 582, §1, IS 
amended to read: 
4. Adoption of budget; tax levy. After the public hearing is completed, the bu6get 
committee county commissioners shall adopt a final budget and transmit that budget to 
the count)' commissioners by majority vote at a duly called meeting not later than 
December 15th. The budget adopted under this subsection is the final authorization for 
the assessment of county taxes, and the county tax authorized is apportioned and 
collected in accordance with section 706. 
A. 
The count)' commissioners may not further increase, decrease, alter or revise the 
budget adopted by the budget committee except by unanimous vote of the county' 
commissioners. If the adopted budget is changed by the count)' commissioners, the 
budget committee may reject that change by a 2/3 vote of its membership. The 
budget is final and not subject to further action by either the count)' commissioners or 
the budget committee upon failure of the commissioners to unanimously recommend 
changes in the budget transmitted from the budget committee or upon acceptance or 
rejection of changes by the budget committee. 
S. 
The budget adopted under this subsection is the final authorization for the 
assessment of count)' taxes and the count)' tax authorized is apportioned and collected 
in accordance \vith section 706. 
Sec. 42. 30-A MRSA §899-A, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 462, Pt. A, §51, IS 
repealed. 
Sec. 43. 30-A MRSA §900-K, sub-§l, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 124, §I, IS 
amended to read: 
I 
1. Budget advisory committee. "Budget advisory committee" means the Penobscot 
County Budget Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 44. 30-A MRSA §900-N, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 124, §I, IS 
amended to read: 
2. Budget; submission to budget advisory committee. The Penobscot County 
commissioners shaH submit a budget for the coming year to the budget advisory 
committee no later than November 10th of each year. The budget advisory committee 
shall review the budget with the county commissioners prior to November 30th and make 
recommendations for any additions or deletions to the budget by a majority vote of the 
budget advisory committee. A uAaAimous vote of the COUA!)' commissioAers is required 
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to override the budget committee. The county commissioners shaH adopt a final budget 
by majority vote at a duly called meeting not later than December 15th. 
Sec. 45. Apportionment commission. An apportionment commission, referred 
to in this section as "the commission," is established to apportion county commissioner 
districts to increase the number of county commissioner districts in all counties except 
Aroostook County, Knox County and York County. The commission must be established 
in accordance with the procedure set out in the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part 
Third, Section I-A for apportionment of legislative districts except that the commission 
may convene at any time, and the budget for the commission may be established in the 
same fiscal year as the commission is required to convene. 
For each county, the 
commission shall develop 2 plans, one that increases the number of county commissioner 
districts from 3 to 5 and one that increases the number of districts from 3 to 7. The 
commission shaH include in its apportionment plans the initial terms of office for each 
commissioner district. The plan to increase the number of districts to 5 must designate 2 
commissioner districts that have 2-year initial terms and 3 commissioner districts that 
have 4-year initial terms. The plan to increase the number of districts to 7 must designate 
commissioner districts that have 2-year initial terms and 4 commissioner districts that 
have 4-year initial terms. All subsequent terms under both plans are for 4 years. The 
commission shall conduct the reapportionment according to the process established in the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 65, subsection I, paragraphs A and B. 
Sec. 46. County referendum. Each county except Aroostook County, Knox 
County and York County shall submit the proposed apportionment plan under section 45 
that increases the number of county commissioner districts to 7 to the legal voters of the 
county at a statewide election held in November 2008. If the legal voters of a county 
reject the proposed apportionment plan to increase the number of county commissioner 
districts to 7, then the proposed apportionment plan under section 45 that increases the 
number of county commissioner districts to 5 is adopted for that county. 
The 
apportionment commission under section 45 shall submit the plans adopted by each 
county to the Clerk of the House of Representatives no later than January 15, 2009 for 
enactment by the First Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. 
Sec. 47. 
Election of county commissioners. The election of county 
commissioners in the reapportioned districts approved pursuant to section 46 must take 
place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2010. 
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Sec. 48. Government chart of accounts. The Department of Audit shall supply 
on the publicly accessible website of the department the government chart of accounts for 
municipal and county governments developed under Resolve 2005, chapter 136. This 
standardized chart of accounts may be used voluntarily by any level of government. 
Sec. 49. Maine Revised Statutes amended; revision clause. 
Wherever in 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, chapter 3, subchapter 1, article 2 the words 
"Androscoggin County Budget Committee" or "budget committee" appear or reference is 
made to that entity or those words, those words are amended to read or mean, as 
appropriate, "Androscoggin County Budget Advisory Committee" or "budget advisory 
committee," and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, 
publishing or republishing the statutes. 
Sec. 50. Maine Revised Statutes amended; revision clause. 
Wherever in 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, chapter 3, subchapter 1, article 4-A the words 
"Knox County Budget Committee" or "budget committee" appear or reference is made to 
that entity or those words, those words are amended to read or mean, as appropriate, 
"Knox County Budget Advisory Committee" or "budget advisory committee," and the 
Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or 
repUblishing the statutes. 
Sec. 51. Maine Revised Statutes amended; revision clause. 
Wherever in 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, chapter 3, subchapter 1, article 6-A the words 
"Y ork County Budget Committee" or "budget committee" appear or reference is made to 
that entity or those words, those words are amended to read or mean, as appropriate, 
"Y ork County Budget Advisory Committee" or "budget advisory committee," and the 
Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or 
repUblishing the statutes. 
Sec. 52. Maine Revised Statutes amended; revision clause. 
Wherever in 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, chapter 3, subchapter I, article 7 the words 
"Waldo County Budget Committee" or "budget committee" appear or reference is made 
to that entity or those words, those words are amended to read or mean, as appropriate, 
"Waldo County Budget Advisory Committee" or "budget advisory committee," and the 
Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or 
republishing the statutes. 
Sec. 53. Maine Revised Statutes amended; revision clause. 
Wherever in 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, chapter 3, subchapter I, article 8 the words 
"Kennebec County Budget Committee" or "budget committee" appear or reference is 
made to that entity or those words, those words are amended to read or mean, as 
appropriate, "Kennebec County Budget Advisory Committee" or "budget advisory 
committee," and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, 
publishing or republishing the statutes. 
Sec. 54. Maine Revised Statutes amended; revision clause. 
Wherever in 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, chapter 3, subchapter I, article 12 the words 
"Somerset County Budget Committee" or "budget committee" appear or reference is 
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made to that entity or those words, those words are amended to read or mean, as 
appropriate, "Somerset County Budget Advisory Committee" or "budget advisory 
committee," and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, 
publishing or republishing the statutes. 
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Sec. 55. Maine Revised Statutes amended; revision clause. 
Wherever in 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, chapter 3, subchapter I, article 15 the words 
"Penobscot County Budget Committee" or "budget committee" appear or reference is 
made to that entity or those words, those words are amended to read or mean, as 
appropriate, "Penobscot County Budget Advisory Committee" or "budget advisory 
committee," and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, 
publishing or republishing the statutes. 
SUMMARY 
This bill amends the county budget process so that all county budget committees are 
advisory only and the county commissioners have the authority to adopt a final budget. It 
amends the budget process in the counties of Androscoggin, Aroostook, Knox, York, 
Waldo, Kennebec, Franklin, Oxford, Somerset and Penobscot. 
This bill establishes an apportionment commission to increase the number of county 
commissioner districts to 5 or 7 in all counties except York County, which already has 5 
commissioner districts, and Knox County and Aroostook County, both of which have 
county charters that set the number of commissioner districts at 3. 
It requires the 
apportionment commission to develop 2 plans, one that increases the number of county 
commissioner districts to 5 and one that increases the number to 7. Voters in each county 
vote on whether to accept the plan that increases the number of districts to 7. 
If the 
referendum fails, that county shall adopt the plan increasing the number of districts to 5. 
The plans chosen by county voters are to be submitted to the Legislature for enactment no 
later than January 15, 2009. Election of county commissioners must take place at the 
November 2010 election. 
This bill requires the Department of Audit to post on its website the government chart 
of accounts for municipal and county governments. 
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