Commissioners discuss opposition to state transfer‑tax proposal that would reduce county share

Commissioners discussed a pending legislative measure (referred to at the meeting as LD 21 24) that would alter transfer‑tax distributions between counties and the state.

County staff explained that the county historically retains 10% of the transfer tax collected by the registry of deeds while about 90% goes to the state; the bill under discussion would reduce the county’s retained share by approximately 1.8 percentage points and redirect that portion to a state homelessness stabilization fund. Staff said the county’s opposition is not to supporting shelters but to the source of the funding: losing county revenue would require raising property taxes or cutting local services.

Staff and commissioners urged county representation at the legislative work sessions in Augusta and encouraged local stakeholders to provide input. The county noted that registry of deeds operations and software (which staff said cost nearly $50,000 a year) are part of the administrative burden counties incur and that the current retained share compensates for that work.

The discussion closed with plans to monitor the work session and coordinate with other counties and stakeholders who intend to testify in committee.