The proposals, some of which may need legislative action, include shifting more of the costs of the sheriff's department to communities that have no local police force; capturing revenue sharing that would be given to the nearby unorganized territory if it were an organized community; and creating a circuit breaker program for service centers which exceed the average state valuation for other towns in a county.

Because of high property sales, Greenville's contribution to county government jumped $92,000 this year, and that increase is expected to be even higher next year after a revaluation is completed.

"Something has to be done," Town Manager John Simko said Wednesday as he presented selectmen with his laundry list of ideas. Greenville is valued by the state at $260 million and now pays more than Dover-Foxcroft, the county seat, and far more than other communities in the county. "We're an anomaly," Simko said.

Asked by Selectman Dan McLaughlin what would happen if the town declined to pay its county assessment, Simko said the commissioners could direct the sheriff to seize Greenville's property and liquidate its assets. "This is a situation that's run amok," he said of the county budget and its assessments.

Suggesting that nothing drastic is needed, Simko said historically the commissioners have been willing to work with the town. His proposals, he said, could start the process of bringing some relief. "If this can initiate something through the county commissioners, it can help," Selectman Alan McBrierty said Wednesday before board members directed Simko to draft a letter to the commissioners for their signatures next month.

Simko wants commissioners to push for an increase in the fees for the administration of unorganized territory affairs. He thinks the 5 percent allowance now provided by the state should be increased to 10 percent if 50 percent of the land base in a county consists of unorganized territory.

"That alone would be a windfall" [for Piscataquis County] if the change were made, he said.

In addition, Simko said residents in unorganized territory such as nearby Moosehead Junction Township pay sales and income taxes but receive no revenue sharing funds like municipalities. The state should calculate what the unorganized territory would receive in revenue sharing if it were a municipality and those funds should be given each year to the adjacent service center community, he said.

As for the circuit breaker, Simko said service centers in a county that have a disproportionately large state valuation should get a discount in paying taxes, which would shift more tax burden to other communities.

Simko has proposed that the unorganized territory be allowed to participate in tax increment financing and have imposed a regional impact fee, both of which would feed into a regional infrastructure fund. He also has suggested that the county share in the capital costs of the Junction Wharf; have the unorganized territory pay for election services provided by Greenville; develop dry hydrants on outskirts of town; and set up a countywide meeting to discuss the sheriff's department.

"Fair is fair here. Something's got to be done," Selectman Burton Whitman said.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Friday, May 19, 2006 edition of the Bangor Daily NEWS and is used here with permission."