HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-09 13-301 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION
Item No. 13-301
Date: September 9, 2013
Item/Subject: Order, Directing the City Clerk to Prepare Warrants and Ballots - Special
Municipal Election — November 5, 2013
Responsible Department: City Clerk
Commentary:
On June 18, 2013, the residents of Bangor approved the school department budget for the
upcoming year. At the time of the election, the State of Maine's biennial budget had not been
approved, so the school department budget approved by the voters was based on existing law. The
final State of Maine biennial budget resulted in the shift of certain retirement costs from the State of
Maine to the local school districts. The cost of this change was more than offset by the additional
funding of the State's general purpose aid to education.
State law requires that the Council approve the total expenditure budget, the amount in excess of
the essential program and services model as well as the local share of education costs. Afterwards
this action is then approved by the voters. The revised articles will be presented to the Council for
first reading on September 23, 2013. In accordance with state law, this election must be held within
30 days of the final Council approval. In order to provide voters with as much time as possible, the
recommendation will be to schedule a Special Council Meeting for October 7, 2013.
This Order will set the election date for November 5, 2013, and the form of the question which is set
by state law and city ordinance.
Manager's Comments:
Associated Information:
Budget Approval:
Legal Approval:
Introduced for
Passage
_ First Reading
Referral
J
/fDepartment Head
NTM
Fi a Director
Page _ of _
SolicitorCity
13-301
SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Assigned to Councilor Civiello
GI'T"Y OF BANGOR
�R4TED.f� r
(TITLE.) ORDER, Order, Directing the City Clerk to Prepare Warrants and Ballots
— Special Municipal Election — November S, 2013
WHEREAS, the State of Maine's biennial budget was adopted after the Bangor School
Department FY14 Budget had been approved by the voters; and
WHEREAS, the State of Maine's previous financial responsibility for teacher retirement was
shifted to local school units; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bangor received an additional $614,113 in school subsidy, resulting in
a lower local contribution from property taxes to support education;
Now therefore be it Ordered By the City Council of the City of Bangor That :
That the City Clerk is hereby directed to prepare the necessary warrants and ballots for a
Special Municipal Election to be held on November 5, 2013 for the purpose of validating the
Fiscal Year 2014 school budget. Said warrant shall be issued by Council Chair Durgin, acting on
behalf of the City Council; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED THAT:
The question to be submitted to the voters shall be in the following form:
Question 1:
"Do you favor approving the Bangor School Department budget for the upcoming school year
that was adopted at the latest regional school unit budget meeting and that includes locally
raised funds that exceed the required local contribution as described in the Essential Programs
and Services Funding Act?"
Yes No
A YES vote allows additional funds to be raised for K-12 public education.
A NO vote means additional funds cannot be raised for K-12 public education.
IN CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Motion made and seconded for Passage
Passedzi
CITY -CLERK