By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — City Manager Jim Bennett, on Monday night, presented councilors with a preview of the proposed 2014 budget. In the packet presented to councilors, figures show a requested tax commitment of $14,151,808 — by department heads and to cover other expenses; with the city manager’s recommendation coming in at $13,430,109, a reduction of $721,699.
Bennett began by crediting councilors for their efforts in preventing a drastic increase in taxes during the 2013 budget process.
“We’ve done what we had to do, even though it was not pretty. Council did what it had to to keep (the 2013 budget) in line. You used one-time money of $90,184 to close the hole from last year. But every time you do one-time things, they can’t be repeated,” said Bennett.
He noted that from 2008 to 2013, state revenue sharing has gone from a high of almost $2 million for the city down to this year’s roughly $700,000.
“That means 1.23 mils of the tax rate is going to pay state bills,” he said.
Bennett and Finance Director Pat Webb went department by department, giving councilors an overview of each request and how cuts were made to reach the city manager’s recommendation.
The Public Safety Building was the only line item on the 2014 expense summary Bennett recommended more funding for than was requested. Bennett and department heads agreed on funding totals for: Planning and Development, insurances, debt service, and information and technology. Bennett suggested less than was requested for all other line items.
Councilors now have the tough task ahead of them of reviewing recommendations and determining what cuts, if any, will be necessary, before approving the final 2014 budget later this year. Bennett reminded councilors that whatever they agree upon could change next July, depending on county, state and school spending.
Council will continue discussing the proposed budget on Monday, Oct. 28, which will be the first public hearing on the matter. Citizens are welcomed and encouraged to participate. The meeting will be held at City Hall, beginning at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. For more information, call 760-2785.
