City considers making cuts to outside requests
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Outside requests were discussed by city councilors during their Jan. 23 meeting at City Hall.
A decision made by councilors in December 2011 to reduce the amount of money designated for outside requests raised a great deal of concern with individuals from various organizations. Several chose to explain why their agency shouldn’t have funds reduced or eliminated.
During the 2012 budget process, City Manager Jim Bennett had recommended $61,600 be allocated for outside requests. When Council voted on the budget at the close of the year, it was determined a 25 percent cut would be necessary to help balance the budget. Councilors approved the budget including Bennett’s proposal, with the intent to leave specific cuts to the discretion of the new council come January.
Bennett’s proposed allocations included: Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, $22,500; Independent Support Services, $4,050; Aroostook Agency on Aging, $4,050; Central Aroostook Soil & Water, $1,050; RC&D, $250; Quoggy Joe, $6,875; Presque Isle Snowmobile Club, $2,300; Nordic Heritage Ski Club, $13,500; Veterans’ Cemetery, $200; American Red Cross, $2,325; and new/miscellaneous requests, $4,500 — for a total of $61,600.
Deputy Chair Randy Smith began discussion by reading a letter from Council Chair Emily Smith, who was unable to attend, indicating her recommendations for possible cuts.
“I question the $4,500 for miscellaneous … and reducing the Chamber’s (request) by $5,000,” Randy Smith read from Emily Smith’s letter.
“The Nordic Center is an asset to the community and has great potential, but last year’s request was funded in full,” continued Smith. “The city should reduce by $8,000 to $10,000.”
Emily Smith also recommended reducing Quoggy Joe’s request and Central Aroostook Soil and Water’s, while leaving the Veteran’s Cemetery, Red Cross, Aroostook Agency on Aging and Presque Isle Snowmobile Club requests as they are.
Bennett explained the miscellaneous amount was designated for LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development, primarily in support of bypass/connector route efforts, and that had been the amount funded for the past three or four years.
Jim McKenney, president of the CACC, was the first to address councilors, explaining that the Chamber has a projected budget of $140,000 for 2012, with about $40,000 of that coming from fundraisers.
“Funding is critical to us. Funding was increased a few years ago to increase advertising and that would be the only area we could target for cuts,” said McKenney.
Theresa Fowler, CACC executive director, said 25-30 percent of Presque Isle businesses are members. Bennett noted that given the economy, many businesses can’t afford even the minimum membership fee.
Councilman Dick Engels said when people come to Presque Isle, one of the things they ask about is the Chamber.
“It’s an essential business to the community,” said Engels.
Next, Bennett explained that Independent Support Services was a group that provided assistance who are essentially shut-ins, primarily seniors.
Steve Fowler, director, Aroostook Agency on Aging, explained that money received from County communities serve as matching funds for grants and are used to provide services to people, including the Gathering Place, a senior center housed in the agency’s former office building on Davis St.
Smith noted no one was present for RC&D, with Bennett indicating a letter had been left for Council.
Attorney Hal Stewart spoke on behalf of Quoggy Joe, with several youth in attendance who now use the facility.
“I’m very concerned if they saw the money evaporate, it might be the wrong message to them. We need it (funding) — can’t keep the facility running without it,” said Stewart.
Ted Roberts spoke for the PISC, recalling some of the many activities the club has hosted over the years and services volunteers do on a regular basis, such as maintaining over 100 miles of trails, that benefit the community.
Smith noted that no one was present from the Nordic Heritage Center.
Harry Hafford spoke passionately about the services offered by the Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou and how important the city’s $200 is to ensure a final resting place for area veterans.
“We’ll be doing bathrooms this year. We ask for $200 and an additional $100 to aid with costs,” said Hafford.
Representing the Red Cross was Dan Lee, who said the agency served over 100 victims last year and that the money was needed to “ensure services continue.”
Under miscellaneous requests, Jim Davis, vice president of the LEAD board, said the organization’s budget was below $50,000 a year and much of the work handled by the agency was on a “pay as you go basis.”
Bennett said LEAD had been instrumental in facilitating a phone-in day with the legislature, allowing area business leaders to speak with representatives without having to travel to Augusta. “This doesn’t happen everywhere and is envied throughout the state.”
Councilor Peter Hallowell said the process of cutting funding was a “gift given the new councilors from the old,” as he recommended a decision be tabled until a later date. Council will discuss the matter again at their Feb. 6 meeting.
