1.Procedure. Before November 7th of each year, the county commissioners of each county shall provide to the members of the county legislative delegation a preliminary budget for the services to be provided under this chapter to the unorganized territory in the next year. These preliminary budgets shall be provided in a form that shows how the funds are to be spent for each category of service identified in section 7501 and any projected surplus for the year of unorganized territory funds held by the county. The county commissioners shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the preliminary budget at the same time as a public hearing is held on the county budget, as provided under Part 1, chapter 3, subchapter I. The budget for the unorganized territory shall be finalized at the same time as the regular county budget. A copy of the finalized budget and an accurate identification of any surplus which can be used to reduce the amount needed to be collected in taxes shall be submitted to the State Tax Assessor and to the fiscal administrator of the unorganized territory by January 1st of each year.
[1989, c. 502, Pt. C, §12(NEW).]