PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle City Council voted to approve the 2023 budget on Dec. 7 after multiple budget workshops during the fall.
A new plow truck and redoing the floor at the Public Safety Building in the Police Department are in the 2023 budget, plus sending tax relief directly to the taxpayers using some of the revenue sharing from the state. The $1 million surplus will be used for funding the Fire Department reserve, purchasing two plow trucks for Public Works and funding the Industrial Council reserve.
The 2023 budget for Presque Isle is $17 million with a total revenue of $9 million for a net spending budget of $8 million. The airport fund’s total expenses are $3 million.
“As we know there are several new businesses on Main Street and they’re opening as we speak and there are some businesses being bought as we speak that are transferring ownership,” said City Councilor Craig Green. “I think the future for the community is certainly good.”
Green said it sends the right message that the city is being economical with its budget. City Councilor Mike Chasse expressed some concern about reducing taxes too much, making it hard to invest in projects like repairing the roof at the Forum.
City Councilor Doug Cyr said he’s glad to see the tax rate go down and revenue sharing go up for the 2023 budget, but didn’t like to see the city’s expenses go up $2.3 million in one year.
The increase in expenses comes mainly from wages through contracts for Presque Isle. City Manager Martin Puckett said there will be opportunities to modify the 2023 budget should fuel prices go down that affect the costs charged by contractors to the city.
One goal would be to create a facilities management position for the first quarter of 2023 that would be delegated to human resources and the city manager’s office.
City Councilors also approved the application for Northern Maine Community College to pursue $80,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to hire someone to settle refugees and immigrant communities in the area. The outreach role would last for two years, according to NMCC Dean of Development of Public Affairs Griffin Goins.
Newly pinned Sgt. Eric Depner (left) receives promotional plaque from Deputy Chief Christopher Hayes (right) on Dec. 7 during the Pinning Ceremony at Presque Isle City Council in the Sargent Family Community Center. (Paul Bagnall | The Star-Herald)
An award-pinning ceremony was held at the beginning of the City Council meeting with Eric Depner, Steven St. Peter and Dale Keegan being promoted from corporals to sergeants in the police department. Patrol officers Kyle White and Sam Fuller were promoted to corporals.
Newly pinned Sgt. Dale Keegan (left) receives a promotional plaque from Deputy Chief Christopher Hayes (right) on Dec. 7 during the Pinning Ceremony at Presque Isle City Council in the Sargent Family Community Center. (Paul Bagnall | The Star-Herald)
The Presque Isle Rotary Club proposed the concept of building an amphitheater near the Riverside Bicentennial Park in celebration of its 100th year anniversary in 2023. The concept for the amphitheater project and fundraising for the Presque Isle Rotary was approved by City Council.
Public hearings were scheduled to repass ordinances due to a “Sunset Provision” for Property Assessed Clean Energy, the city treasurer to disperse money on a warrant and all terrain vehicles and proposed chapter 63; Lodging Establishment Licenses for motels and lodging houses to be separately defined for January 4, 2023. The City Council announced the city hall will be closed on Friday, Dec. 23 and will reopen on Monday, Dec. 26.
The consent agenda for Dec. 7 was unanimously passed as it was presented to the City Council.
