LD 1 CALCULATION
In 2007, calendar year municipalities will be entering their second year of compliance with the municipal spending limitation system under LD 1 and fiscal year communities will be on their third year.
The first year is the only time when a community has to do a “core municipal commitment” analysis (see LD 1 Calculation Worksheet in February 2006 TOWNSMAN, p. 21). In the second year and thereafter, the starting point, or base, upon which the LD 1 growth factor is applied is the “Property Tax Levy Limit” established for the preceding year. Your “property tax levy limit” from last year is either the one that was calculated using the worksheet or, if your town had an override vote, the “increased” levy limit. An easy way to determine the “increased” levy limit is to look at the “Municipal Assessment Warrant” which is filed with the Tax Collector and put in the Valuation Book. From this form, simply subtract line 10 (Total Deductions) from line 2 (Municipal Appropriation) and you will have the new, or increased, “property tax levy limit” from 2006, which becomes your base (or core municipal commitment) for the 2007 LD 1 calculation. If you voted to “exceed” the limit last year, as opposed to “increasing” it, then you would go back to the calculated levy limit as the starting point.
Other than starting your calculation with last year's "levy limit", the worksheet from last February’s TOWNSMAN is pretty much the same as the one to be used in 2007. Two changes should be noted: (1) under calculating the Growth Limitation Factor, you will use 2.47% as the Average Real TPI; and (2) under the Required Deduction for New State Funding, the only state program to be considered is “Municipal Revenue Sharing” – GA and URIP no longer need to be analyzed for ‘net new funding’.
If you have any questions about the LD 1 calculation, contact Michael Starn at MMA, 800-452-8786 ext. 221 or mstarn@memun.org
COMMUNICATIONS POLICY BD
The Maine Communications Policy Board is required to hold an Annual Meeting to “solicit input from municipalities and counties concerning the activities of the board”.
This year’s annual meeting of the Board will be held March 26, starting at 9:30 a.m at the Central Maine Commerce Center in Augusta (on Civic Center Drive – Route 27).
HARBOR MASTER TRAINING
Last year, the Legislature enacted a new requirement that all harbor masters appointed or re-appointed after August 31, 2006 must complete a “basic” training course as offered by the Maine Harbormasters Association. Harbormasters who have previously completed the “basic” course are exempt.
The 2007 Annual Maine Harbor Masters Training Course will be offered at the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine on March 22-24.
The cost of this course ($75, not including housing) is to be borne by the harbor master or deputy harbor master. Municipalities may reimburse their employees if they so choose.
In addition to the mandatory “basic” course, other educational opportunities are offered as well.
Registration forms and course descriptions will be mailed to most municipalities that currently employ harbormasters. Materials may also be obtained from the following website: www.maineharbormasters.org
For further information please contact: Jay Pinkham, Freeport, frprthrbmstr@suscom-maine.net, 865-4546; or Dave Schmanska, St. George
hbrmstr@stgeorgemaine.com, 372-6363.
MUNICIPAL BUDGETING
Maine Municipal Association will hold a one-day “Basic Municipal Budgeting” workshop on February 2 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston. The workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This workshop is designed for officials who have the primary responsibility to prepare and manage the municipal budget. The workshop is geared towards small towns.
Instructors are Jim Bennett, Lewiston city administrator, and John Eldridge, Brunswick finance director. Registration is $50. For more information, contact the MMA Training & Affiliate office, 1-800-452-8786.
BASIC GA WORKSHOP
The Maine Welfare Directors Association (MWDA) is sponsoring a “Basic GA Workshop” on February 8 at the Augusta City Hall. The workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
This workshop is for anyone who is responsible for administering General Assistance in a municipality.
Registration is $45 for MWDA members and $55 for non-members. For more information, contact the MMA Training & Affiliate office, 1-800-452-8786.
CASH MANAGEMENT
The Maine Municipal Tax Collectors & Treasurers Association (MMTCTA) will hold a “Cash Management” workshop on February 14 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston. The workshop runs form 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jim Bennett, Lewiston city administrator, is the instructor.
Registration is $45 for MMTCTA members and $55 for non-members. For more information, contact the MMA Training & Affiliate office, 1-800-452-8786.
MANAGERS INTERCHANGE
The Maine Town & City Management Association (MTCMA) will hold its annual “Managers Interchange” on February 23 at the Black Bear Inn in Orono. For more information, contact the MMA Training & Affiliate office, 1-800-452-8786.
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
The Maine Town & City Clerks Association (MTCCA) is offering its “Parliamentary Procedures” workshop on March 1 at the Waterville Elks Club. Kathy Montejo, Lewiston city clerk, is the instructor.
Registration is $50 for MTCCA members and $60 for non-members. For more information, contact the MMA Training & Affiliate office, 1-800-452-8786.