§855. Budget procedures
1. Proposed budget. The county commissioners shall submit an itemized budget estimate, as described in sections 701 and 702, to the budget committee in a timely fashion, no later than 60 days before the end of the county's fiscal year.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
2. Budget review process. The budget 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 committee may increase, decrease, alter or revise the proposed budget, provided that:
A. The budget committee shall enter into its minutes an explanation for any change in the estimated expenditures and revenues as initially presented by the county commissioners; and [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
B. The total estimated revenues, together with the amount of county tax to be levied, must equal the total estimated expenditures. [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
3. Public hearing. The budget committee 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 shall 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 shall be sent by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested, or delivered in person, with proof received of the delivery, to the clerk of each municipality in the county. The municipal clerk shall notify the municipal officers of the proposed budget.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
4. Adoption of budget. After the public hearing is completed, the budget committee 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 budget committee 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 sent to the county commissioners and the county tax authorized shall be apportioned and collected in accordance with section 706.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
5. Interim budget. If the budget is not approved before the start of a fiscal year, until a budget is finally adopted, the county shall operate on an interim budget which may not exceed the previous year's budget.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
6. Transfer of funds. The county commissioners may transfer funds as provided in section 922.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§C8,10 (AMD).