PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — After months of working with department heads, the Presque Isle City Council closed the book on the 2022 budget process Thursday night when the five out of seven councilors present approved a $14.7 million budget. Revenues were put at $7.6 million, and net spending at about $7 million.
This budget reflects increases over the current budget by $500,000 for total expenses and $700,000 in revenues, and a decrease of $250,000 for net spending from the 2021 budget.
Most departments had increases except for public safety, debt service, capital reserves, IT, and the city clerk, which all decreased. The increases for all departments are mainly due to union contracts and salaries.
The council agreed to hold a public hearing on Dec. 1 for pending credit enhancement agreement applications. Credit enhancement is a benefit that compensates businesses within a Tax Increment Finance district for costs associated with development. Two businesses planning to attend are the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center and Griffeth Honda.
The council then voted to approve the warrant for an election to break the tie for the section 15 SAD 1 school board position. There were two write-in candidates, John Johnston and Susan Johnston, who are not related.
The city charter does not allow the council to have a conversation with the candidates to settle the matter without an election. This means an election must be held again for section 15 only. It will be held 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 28, at the Sargent Community Center multi-purpose room.
The council then tackled any outstanding issues regarding the budget. Councilors voted to use surplus government funds to pay off city project debts. The debts for ice at The Forum, EMS startup, and the Cunningham school loan were all paid off.
“It’s putting the money back where it should be,” said City Manager Martin Puckett. “It should be helping the taxpayers, and overall, it can be a great plan in the long run.”
The council also discussed leaving money in the budget for full-time positions that would be hired later next year, so that they are not short on funds should the need arise to hire more help. This was the case when looking at a full-time code enforcement officer or full-time event promoter for The Forum.
After ironing out final details, the council voted to approve the 2022 budget.
The council gave special thanks to Puckett and Finance Director Brad Turner, as well as all other department heads for all their work in the budget process.
“Thank you all for the countless hours that you have put into this process,” said City Councilor Kevin Freeman.
The council then thanked Fire Chief Darrell White for his service as fire chief and to the community, as well as his service as president of the Maine Fire Chiefs Association, and vice president of the New England Fire Chiefs Association.
The council then went into executive session to discuss real estate, and adjourned shortly thereafter.
The next city council meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1, at the Sargent Community Center multi-purpose room.
