To the editor:
The city manager during the 2019 mill rate setting meeting stated that, next year, Caribou’s mill rate would be increasing 3 mills, which would set the 2020 mill rate at 27.55 mills if the city manager’s words hold true. Change is needed in Caribou.
There are two seats that are up for re-election. One has been on the council for 12 years and the other has been on the council for 7 years with the following results:
2009 = 24.0 mill rate
2010 = 24.1 mill rate
2011 = 26.1 mill rate
2012 = 19.3 mill rate (City wide revaluation at 100-plus percent)
2013 = 20.5 mill rate
2014 = 22.3 mill rate
2015 = 22.46 mill rate
2016 = 22.9 mill rate
2017 = 23.9 mill rate
2018 = 23.7 mill rate
2019 = 24.55 mill rate
The two people whose seats are up for reelection both voted in favor of building a new public safety building at a cost of $10-13 million and they would like to be re-elected to make this spending happen. We as citizens do not feel that this type of fiscal irresponsibility is in Caribou’s best interest at this time, especially in view of the fact that the RSU 39 has lost revenue from the town of Limestone, which will increase our share of educational expenses and construction cost of the new school.
A vision of sustainable goals for the community is:
Zero Based Budgeting (making sure your money is being spent wisely)
Slowing the growth of local government
Working with the community to realign the city’s budget
Enhancing policies that encourage Business & Residential growth
Milo Haney
Doug Morrell
Caribou
