City Council cuts funding for outside requests
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Outside requests were examined closely Monday night, as councilors tried to determine where to come up with $15,400 in cuts in order to balance the 2012 budget. Councilors had opted in December 2011 to finalize the 2012 budget, including a 25 percent cut to funding for outside requests, but left the decision as to where those cuts would be made to newly-seated members come the new year. City Treasurer Pat Webb sat in for City Manager Jim Bennett, who was unable to attend the meeting.
Agencies and organizations Bennett recommended for funding for 2012 during fall budget discussions included: Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, $22,500; Independent Support Services, $4,050 (Webb advised councilors this agency represented Catholic Charities and funds were used to assist senior citizens with programs to help them stay in their homes); Aroostook Agency on Aging, $4,050; Central Aroostook Soil & Water, $1,050; RC&D, $250; Quoggy Jo Ski Club, $6,875; Presque Isle Snowmobile Club, $2,300; Nordic Heritage Ski Club, $13,500; Veterans’ Cemetery, $200; American Red Cross, $2,325; and new/miscellaneous requests (Webb indicated this was for LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development), $4,500 — for a total of $61,600. Due to a shortfall, councilors agreed this figure would be cut by one-quarter.
Steve Towle and his brother, Paul Towle, spoke on behalf of the Nordic Heritage Center, citing how important the facility is to the local economy and how the center serves the public free of charge, with memberships for families set at $30 annually, on a donation basis, with services provided by many volunteers. Theresa Fowler, executive director of the CACC, spoke in support of the center, noting past sporting events and the attention brought to not just Presque Isle, but Aroostook County as a result.
Beth Curtis was on hand to answer any questions councilors might have about Quoggy Jo, which was also on the list of those seeking funding again this year.
Councilors discussed at length what each organization used the money for, with Councilor Dick Engels noting the good work done by both the Nordic Heritage Center and the Chamber to promote the area and attract tourists and businesses. Engels stated that for many of the agencies, now was not the time to cut funding, since several had incorporated the requests in planning their budgets for this year. He also favored fully funding the snowmobile club, crediting them with maintaining trails that attract tourists. While Engels was in favor of the majority of requests, he recommended those making future requests be made aware that the city may not be able to be as generous going forward.
Councilors went line by line, voting on which requests would be fully funded and which would be cut, making the following decisions:
• Approved funding for: CACC, $22,500; Aroostook Agency on Aging, $4,050; RC&D, $250; Quoggy Jo, $6,875; Presque Isle Snowmobile Club, $2,300; Nordic Heritage Ski Club, $13,500; Veterans’ Cemetery, $200; and American Red Cross, $2,325; and
• Cut funding for: Independent Support Services, $4,050; Central Aroostook Soil & Water, $1,050; and cut new/miscellaneous requests from $4,500 to $300 (the cost of membership with LEAD).
The total of cuts made came to $9,300, $6,100 shy of the $15,400 councilors had sought to eliminate from the 2012 budget. Engels suggesting looking elsewhere for the remainder. Councilor Micah Desmond agreed, saying he thought councilors could work to find the rest in other areas of the budget.
Councilor Randy Smith made a motion that was seconded by Councilor Peter Hallowell to authorize taking $6,100 from the undesignated fund, with councilors voting unanimously to do so.
