Rangeley-area meeting requests research into interlocal funding formula for fire services

At a quarterly Rangeley meeting, attendees asked staff to research when the interlocal funding formula that helps allocate money for fire rescue and related services was last amended and to report back with details about any changes and how allocations are calculated.

“The factors themselves are always different. It’s been at least five years,” said Jim.

The funding formula under discussion is used primarily to distribute support for fire rescue services and, in some references during the meeting, for the transfer station serving the plantations. Participants said the formula currently lists three factors—state valuation, number of housing units and population—and that those three factors are treated as equal parts of the formula.

Meeting speakers asked staff to determine whether and when the formula was modified, who participated in the change, and what specific amendments were made. One speaker also described the mix of contributions as sometimes voluntary and sometimes governed by contractual agreements, and asked the group to retrieve records showing past amendments.

Members agreed to research the matter and return findings at a subsequent meeting so the allocations can be reviewed. One participant asked staff to clarify “who amended it” and to show “what the amendments were.”

Next steps: staff said they would try to locate records showing the last amendment and the details of any changes and will report back at a future meeting.