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Town of New Gloucester
385 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260
(207) 926-4126 (phone) / (207) 926-4136 (fax)
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Town of Poland
1231 Maine Street, Poland, ME 04274
(207) 998-4601 (phone) / (207) 998-2002 (fax)
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Proposed Budget Recommendations
The Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) recently delivered to the Governor a three-part proposal intended to balance the State budget and address an estimated $528 million revenue shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The recommendations in the proposal include:
- utilizing $97 million in available federal funding for authorized public health and safety costs;
- transferring approximately $70 million in liquor sales tax receipts;
- and adopting approximately $255.6 million in departmental cost savings and efficiencies, thereby avoiding deep programmatic cuts and layoffs -- for now.
In July, the non-partisan Revenue Forecasting Committee projected that the State of Maine would face a $528 million revenue shortfall for the biennial ending June 30, 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the release of that report, a supplemental budget and related legislation were passed that reserved more than $106 million.
To fill the remaining $422 million shortfall, State Government departments, agencies, and public institutions were instructed to identify 10 percent in cost reductions. The Governor also directed DAFS to attempt to find solutions to the shortfall that would minimize the impact on critical programs, such as General Purpose Aid for education and State Government personnel.
To that end, the Commissioner identified nearly $97 million that the State could save by utilizing one-time federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Funds for authorized public health and safety costs in line with updated guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury. Another $70 million in revenue was identified from several years of higher-than-expected liquor sales. Lastly, a proposal has been crafted that includes $255 million of efficiencies within departmental budgets.
The Commissioner said that approximately $125 million of the departmental efficiencies could be applied to the current fiscal year (FY21) and includes replacement funds from CARES Act-improved Medicaid federal reimbursement rates (“FMAP”); federal grants awarded for departmental functions; and managing expenses through hiring freezes for certain vacant positions; delayed technology updates; reduced spending on existing or future contracts; and the cancelation of conferences, projects, and related travel.
The remaining $130 million in departmental efficiencies is achieved by transferring appropriations from FY20 that went unspent.
The Commissioner also identified savings for initiatives funded by the Highway Fund to address the estimated $40 million shortfall projected by the Revenue Forecasting Committee.
Nearly $222 million from the General Fund and $23 million from the Highway Fund can be set aside by way of curtailment.
Hire a Vet Campaign
On Tuesday, September 15, the Maine Hire a Vet Campaign 2020 will kick-off at 11 a.m., with a hiring fair to follow from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Over 100 employers will be available to communicate with veterans virtually. Register today at http://www.mainecareercenter.com/mhav/.
Veteran Video Profile (new for 2020)
Veterans can also receive a professionally made video at no charge. As part of the Maine Hire a Vet Campaign 2020, veterans will be coached and mentored by experts from Maine’s premier video career exploration company. Do not miss this opportunity to showcase your skills, enthusiasm, and personality in a professionally produced video that will be available to all Maine Hire a Vet employers.
Grant Cycle Open for Land and Water Conservation Fund
Communities intending to submit grant applications are required to request Maine's pre-approval site inspection by October 31, 2020.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) 2020-2021 grant cycle is open and accepting applications for acquiring public land, developing recreation facilities, and renovation of existing outdoor recreation facilities from eligible applicants. Qualified applicants must request a pre-approval site inspection by 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2020. If the proposed project is approved for application, the project sponsor will be encouraged to submit a complete application packet by the end of May 2021. The grant application and support documents are posted online. The maximum grant award for this round will be $500,000.
There is currently no minimum award level, but applicants considering a request of $20,000 or less should discuss their project ideas with the grant manager before applying.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1964 (LWCF) was established to assist federal, state, and local governments in acquiring and developing public outdoor recreation facilities. Administered at the federal level by the National Park Service and at the State level by the Bureau of Parks and Lands, LWCF grants can provide up to 50% of the allowable costs for approved acquisition or development projects for public outdoor recreation.
Learn more about the application process by visiting the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands' Land and Water Conservation Fund Web page.
Get Foliage Reports in Your Email
Maine's Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry provides weekly foliage reports during foliage season (mid-September to mid-October). Maine Forest Service and State parks staff assess the amount of color change and leaf drop when they are on assignment in the field. These reports represent the official word on foliage conditions in Maine.
Subscribe to Foliage Reports
Click on this link and enter your email address to start receiving weekly Maine foliage reports. You will receive an email confirming your subscription to this email list.
Where and when can I see peak color in Maine?
- northern Maine -- last week in September, into the first week of October
- central and western Maine -- second and third week of October
- coastal and southern Maine -- third week of October
Click here to see a chart of historical peak foliage dates, as well as more trip-planning information.
Can I get more information about Maine trees?
View the Maine Tree Guide and Maine Forest Facts pages, or for more information, please visit www.maineforestservice.com.
Visit Be Woods Wise for more information about managing trees on your land.
To learn why leaves change color in the fall, click here.
To learn which colors Maine trees display in the fall, click here.
For information on purchasing a State park season/vehicle pass, click here.
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