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Staff briefs committee on proposed state revenue‑sharing increase and confirms RFP posting for city auditing services
Summary
Staff reviewed Senator Baldacci’s bill to raise revenue sharing and estimated a possible $500,000 annual benefit to the city if enacted; staff also confirmed an RFP for auditing services was posted to the city website that afternoon.
City staff briefed the finance committee on a proposed state revenue‑sharing bill and on administrative items including the posting of an RFP for auditing services.
Staff summarized Senator Baldacci’s bill, which would raise state revenue sharing to 5.5% effective Jan. 1, 2026 and to 6% effective Jan. 1, 2027. Staff provided a short primer explaining that revenue sharing returns a portion of the state’s broad‑based tax receipts to municipalities to help fund local services. Using packet figures, staff said the city’s current revenue sharing receipts are roughly in the low‑millions (packet lists approximately $11.1 million for the jurisdictional program noted) and gave a conservative estimate that passage of the bill could increase the city’s share by about $500,000 a year — an amount staff said would translate to modest property‑tax relief if realized.
Staff offered to submit written testimony on behalf of the city and to circulate draft testimony to councillors; staff also noted that councillors who wish to testify in person or by Zoom for the taxation committee hearing in Augusta can be accommodated.
Separately, councillors asked about an RFP for auditing services and staff confirmed it was posted to the city website that afternoon at about 4:00 p.m.; staff said the supporting documents were completed and the RFP is now available online.
