CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou city councilors agreed Monday night to aim for another flat mill rate even as city expenses are projected to increase.
Last year councilors kept the mill rate steady at 23.55 mills per $1,000 of property value. The council first set that rate in 2020 when they reduced the city’s mill rate by one mill.
The proposed city expense budget totals $11.1 million, a 6.4 percent increase over last year’s $10.4 million. The 2022 year-end expenses came in under budget for a total of $9.9 million. That means the projected expense budget for 2023 has an overall increase of 12 percent over last year’s expenses.
Most of the latest expenses will come from rising heating fuel and electricity costs and increased wages for hourly employees, Deputy Mayor Courtney Boma said.
The recreation department, for instance, will see a projected 33.9 percent increase from $26,182 to $36,000 on their yearly electric expenses for the Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center on Bennett Drive. Heating fuel costs for that same building could rise from $30,666 to $49,500.
The Public Works department is experiencing similar challenges. Yearly electric costs for their primary garage building are expected to increase by 3.1 percent, from $12,979 to $13,500. But Director David Ouellette is also projecting a 16.4 percent decrease in diesel fuel oil, from the $161,563 approved by councilors last year to $135,000 this year.
Councilors did not take action on the proposed expense budget, since they will review the capital improvement budget during their next meeting. But several councilors were concerned about keeping the mill rate flat.
Mark Goughan suggested the city use the additional $505,415 it has received from state revenue sharing and trim the expense budget in order to flatten the mill rate. He said the council should be putting more money in reserves to prepare for future capital projects.
“With the extra money we got from the state [revenue sharing] and COVID, I see a chance to lower the mill for businesses that have to survive in Caribou,” Goughan said.
Councilor Lou Willey agreed but said the city can’t avoid some expenses.
“Some of our wages and salaries were due for adjustments, and I’m not ashamed to have done that. It needed to be done,” Willey said. “
Joan Theriault said several buildings in town, including the library and fire departments, will be needing repairs. That’s another reason to keep the mill rate steady but not have drastic budget cuts, she said.
“People come to Caribou for its amenities. We’ll have to fully fund the capital budget to keep our buildings in shape,” Theriault said.
The Caribou City Council presented Troy Haney (front, left) and Jim Gamage with certificates of recognition for organizing the first annual SnowBowl events. (Melissa Lizotte | Aroostook Republican)
In other business, the city council introduced what they hope will be positive changes to the Nylander Museum operations.
Councilors directed City Manager Penny Thompson to revise the Nylander city ordinance to allow the museum once again to have a working board of directors.
In December 2021, the city council dissolved the former board of directors and put Library Director Peter Baldwin in charge of overseeing museum programs and operations. The Nylander has not been open to the public since before the pandemic, leaving councilors concerned about how to sustain the building financially.
A board would oversee programs and Baldwin would no longer need to oversee the Nylander in addition to his regular library duties, Theriault stated.
“In order for the museum to come back, we need a working board. If there’s no interest [in serving on the board], I don’t know what will happen,” Theriault said.
The council expects to vote on the Nylander’s potential new board after a public hearing in April. If they approve the new ordinance, the city would open applications for community members interested in serving on the board.
On Monday, councilors also honored many community members for their athletic achievements and local successes.
Mayor Jody Smith presented certificates of recognition to Caribou High School girls wrestling champions Grace Jean and Jocelyn Parlin, Nordic skiing Class B champion Kayley Bell, the boys Class B alpine skiing championship team and to the Esports Rocket League state champions.
Smith presented certificates to Troy Haney and Jim Gamage, who spearheaded the inaugural SnowBowl events this month. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 attended the four days of events, which included SnoCross races, a stunt show, snowmobile parade and several trail rides. Based on attendance, Gamage told councilors, the events likely brought millions to Caribou’s economy.
Haney initially suggested the city’s new Caribou Development Committee. Councilors approved the committee’s formation Monday night with a 6-to-1 vote. Morrill cast the lone no vote.
According to city ordinance, the new committee will coordinate with city staff and boards on economic development initiatives and develop a comprehensive economic plan for the next 10 years.
Five members of the public will serve on the committee alongside one member of the Caribou Planning Board and one member of the Caribou Economic Growth Council. Thompson and a city councilor will serve as non-voting members. Councilors will approve the committee members at a future meeting.
The council meeting will meet next at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 27, at the Caribou Municipal Building, located at 25 High St.
