Maine Revised Statutes
Subchapter 4: FINANCING
20-A §1482-B. Annual budget meeting procedures

§1482-B. Annual budget meeting procedures
The following procedures must be used at a regional school unit annual budget meeting. [PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
1. Election of moderator. The secretary of the regional school unit board or the chair of the regional school unit board when the secretary is absent shall open the annual budget meeting and call for the election of a moderator, receive and count votes for the moderator and swear in the moderator.
[PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
2. Appointing ballot clerks. The moderator shall appoint from the certified voting list the ballot clerks necessary for the efficient operation of the annual budget meeting. The moderator shall swear in the clerks.
[PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
3. Budget consideration. The superintendent of the regional school unit shall thoroughly explain the budget. The voters must have an opportunity to be heard. The voters may change only items dealing with:
A. The expenses necessary to operate the regional school unit; [PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
B. Appropriations for the reserve fund; and [PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
C. Appropriations for the contingency fund and school construction purposes. [PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
[PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
4. Approval. A majority vote of those voters present and voting is necessary for the approval of the annual budget.
[PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
5. Voting lists. Registration of voters for the annual budget meeting must be held in each member municipality in accordance with Title 21-A, section 122.
A. Prior to the annual budget meeting, the municipal clerks of the member municipalities shall supply to the regional school unit board certified corrected copies of the registered voters of their municipalities. [PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
B. The certified corrected copies under paragraph A must be used in determining the voters who are eligible to vote at the annual budget meeting. [PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
[PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
6. Written ballot. An article must be voted on by written ballot if at least 10% of those present and voting vote to use a written ballot. The department, in consultation with municipal and school officials and with organizations representing those officials, shall develop and distribute guidelines to assist regional school unit annual budget meeting moderators in explaining and implementing this subsection.
[PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2007, c. 668, §18 (NEW).