PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Presque Isle City Manager Martin Puckett announced during the latest City Council meeting that reductions in smaller budget items have allowed city officials to lower the proposed 2019 mill rate by around half a mill since the previous week’s discussions on next year’s municipal budget.
Since the council’s prior meeting on Dec. 5, the proposed cuts have reduced the tax rate from $25.84 per $1,000 of property value to $25.36, a figure that represents a 1.78 percent reduction from the 2018 mill rate of 25.82. The budget total as of Dec. 12 was projected at $12.9 million, a decrease from the originally proposed $13.6 million total, but could change slightly before councilors approve the final budget later this month.
Puckett credited the mill rate and budget decreases with reductions that the councilors made to less necessary expenses within some city departments, such as decreases in travel and employee training related funds to $1,000 for recreation and parks, $1,000 for planning and development, $600 for assessing and and $175 for the public library.
The councilors have yet to finalize the total 2019 budget, which includes funds for the various departments’ capital reserve projects, but has until Dec. 31 to do so. Their next budget meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 17, at 5:15 p.m. at City Hall.
