Proposed Budget Committee Ordinance
Section 1. Establishment.
Pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. Section 3001, a Budget Committee is hereby established for the Town of Westport Island, Maine.
Section 2. Composition; election; qualifications; terms; vacancies.
A. The Committee shall consist of five members and two alternate members who shall be elected by secret (pre-printed) ballot and shall be registered voters of the Town. A selectman may not be a member or alternate member.
B. Members shall serve for terms of three years, except the initial terms shall be one for one year, two for two years, and two for three years. Alternate members shall serve for terms of two years, except the initial terms shall be one for one year and one for two years. All terms shall continue until successors are elected.
C. Expiring terms will be filled based on the number of votes candidates receive during elections, with those receiving the most votes elected to fill any open three-year member terms, followed in order by any open two-year member terms, one-year member terms, two-year alternate member terms, and one-year alternate member terms. The alternate member having more seniority on the committee, or in the event of equal seniorities the alternate member receiving the greater number of votes, shall be designated the “first” alternate. Vacancies occurring between elections shall be filled within 60 days by appointment by the Board of Selectmen for the unexpired term.
Section 3. Officers; meetings; quorum; procedure.
A. The Committee shall annually elect a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson from among its members (alternate members may not serve in those capacities). The Committee may also elect a Secretary from among its members and alternate members, or the duties of the Secretary may be rotated. There are no term limits for officers.
B. The Chairperson shall call meetings as necessary or when so requested by the Board of Selectmen, shall ensure adequate public notice of meetings is given, and shall preside at meetings. In the event that the Chairperson is unable to preside at a meeting because of interest, physical incapacity, absence or any other reason satisfactory to the Committee, the Deputy Chairperson shall preside in the Chairperson’s stead.
C. The Secretary, if one is
elected, shall maintain a record of all proceedings including all
correspondence of the Committee. Otherwise these responsibilities fall to the
Chairperson or a designee. All meetings and records shall be subject to the
Maine Freedom of Access Act, 1 M.R.S.A. Sections 401-410.
D. When a member is unable to act because of interest, physical incapacity, absence or any other reason satisfactory to the Chairperson, the Chairperson shall designate the “first” alternate member to sit in that member’s stead. If the first alternate is unavailable, or if a second seat is vacant, the second alternate shall be designated to fill the vacancy. An alternate member may attend all meetings of the Committee and participate in its proceedings, but may vote only when he or she has been designated by the Chairperson to sit for a member.
E. A quorum necessary to conduct business shall consist of at least three members, including any alternate members authorized to sit for members. The Committee shall act by a majority of those present and voting.
F. Any question of whether a member shall be disqualified from voting on a particular matter shall be decided by a majority vote of the members except the member who is being challenged.
G. The Committee may adopt rules of procedure not inconsistent with this ordinance.
Section 4. Powers and duties; authority; recommendations; official cooperation.
A. The Committee shall have the following powers and duties:
1.
To review and make recommendations on the annual operating budget
as proposed by the Board of Selectmen;
2.
To review and make recommendations on annual capital expenditures
as proposed by the Board of Selectmen;
3.
To review and make recommendations on supplemental appropriations
and expenditures and other budgetary action whenever proposed by the Board of
Selectmen; and
4.
To make such other recommendations on fiscal matters as it may
from time to time deem advisable.
B. The Committee's authority shall be advisory only. Any recommendation on a matter requiring Town Meeting action shall be printed with the article in the warrant and on the ballot, if any, along with such other recommendations as may be included by the municipal officers or required by law.
C. The Board of Selectmen shall cooperate with and provide the Committee with such information as may be reasonably necessary and available to enable it to carry out its functions under this ordinance.