Councilors receive draft of 2015 budget
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — City Council received their first look at the proposed 2015 municipal budget Oct. 6, which included a PowerPoint presentation by City Manager Jim Bennett. Present for the meeting were Council Chair Emily Smith and Councilors Pete Hallowell, Dick Engels, Bruce Sargent, Craig Green and Mike Chasse.
Bennett’s budget recommendation for the coming year is $10,750,026 — less than the $11,770,243 sought by department heads but up slightly from 2014’s budget of $10,440,474.
The city manager said despite the state continually cutting what they return to the city in revenue sharing, Presque Isle’s mil rate has increased only slightly over the last five years.
“The history of the tax rate shows in 2009 the mil rate was 24.50 (per $1,000 in valuation). In 2014 it was 24.75. The major impact on the budget continues to be revenue sharing. Since 2008, about $6 million has been used to pay state budget problems. The result of using state funds (that should go back to municipalities) to pay state bills costs the average business over $3,000” a year, said Bennett.
Bennett said the “unbalancing by the state raises local taxes and lowers services.”
He credited city officials, including councilors, for helping make the necessary cuts to maintain the budget and keeping much-needed services, through the elimination of positions, reducing hours of operation for municipal offices and the closing of the two swimming pools.
“The 2015 budget, as proposed, includes no staffing changes, reductions or elimination of services. There are no changes in fees, charges or other costs, including for solid waste,” said Bennett.
Councilors will begin reviewing the proposed budget beginning on Monday, Oct. 20, when they hold their first budget workshop from 6-8 p.m. at City Hall.
In other business, councilors:
• Approved amendments to Chapter 48 — General Assistance Ordinance Appendix A;
• Approved a malt and vinous liquor license for David and Sharon Demerchant d/b/a Rosella’s, 654 Main St.;
• Held a legislative candidate forum, featuring: Anthony Edgecomb (Republican, of Fort Fairfield), Gregory Ward (Independent, of Limestone), Alan Whittemore (Democrat, of Limestone), all running for Maine House of Representatives’ District 148; Maine House of Reperesentatives’ District 147 candidates Robert Saucier (Democrat, of Presque Isle) and Larry Fox (Republican, of Presque Isle); and Michael Carpenter (Democrat, of Houlton) and Michael Willette (Republican, of Presque Isle), seeking the Maine State Senate District 2 seat;
• Heard citizens’ comments about the proposed Aroostook House of Comfort, including concerns from Roberta Barnes, whose property abuts the Caribou Road location earmarked for development. Barnes is concerned of the environmental impact the facility will have and how it will affect her property. Bennett suggested city officials look into the matter;
• Approved consent agenda items 14-215 through 14-223;
• Councilors Bruce Sargent and Craig Green agreed to meet with other city officials and residents of Dragon Drive to come up with a plan to address traffic problems in that area;
• Authorized the city manager to sign a Municipal/County Grant-In-Aid Program for the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club, Inc. and land use permit for 2014-15;
• Listened to a presentation by Leigh Smith, chair of the Downtown Revitalization Committee, regarding winter sidewalk recommendations, with all agreeing that a “soft approach” is the best way to start in addressing winter maintenance;
• Approved the refinancing of a loan to Maine Potato Growers in the amount of $70,073.32 based upon the following loan conditions: interest rate of 3 percent, loan balance amortized at seven years, and alternative collateral of acceptable to the city of equal or greater value than the loan balance. Councilors voted 5-0-1 in favor, with Councilor Peter Hallowell abstaining;
• Heard a request by Ginny Joles, Sue Nickerson and Jonathan Kelly (event manager) to close part of Main Street for the Color Me Pink 5K, with councilors approving on behalf of the city, with Bennett noting the state would also have to approve, since it affected U.S. Route 1. The vote was 5-0-1, with Councilor Green abstaining, since he serves with one of the participating organizations, C-A-N-C-E-R;
• Tabled discussion of a plan that would offer guarantees to communities that invest in the Community Center;
• Took under advisement, no action taken on giving local preference to bidders;
• Approved amendments to the employee handbook; and
• Authorized Finance Director Pat Webb to re-bid the request for audit services for the years of 2014-15.
