By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
“The average national inflation rate per year over the past 12 years is 2.6 percent, stated Doug Morrell, addressing the city council during Monday evening’s, public hearing on both the city’s 2012 Capital Improvement Program and municipal budgets, “the average Caribou municipal government growth rate per year is 4.17 percent — that 1.57 percent over the national inflation rate. That is an approximately $254,836 increase per year or a 50.5 percent increase over 12 years.”
“The fact remains that the city of Caribou is just kicking the can down the road in hopes things will change in time to avoid making the hard decisions of reducing the herd and shorting up the trough, and streamlining our operations,” Morrell continued. “Now what is the council going to do next year if we continue with this rate of spending and the budget increases again and you don’t have the money from the gymnasium to offset your spending — what then? Let’s not forget this money was voted on for the repayment of the gym debt service only, and not to pay for expanding municipal government, we the Caribou taxpayers were supposed to get these funds back to reduce our mil rate,” he continued.
Morrell, chairperson of the Citizens for Responsible City Management also stated, “It is our opinion from looking at the numbers, that it is painfully clear that the municipal government is growing at an unsustainable larger rate than the sectors who pay the bills.”
Also addressing the council, prior to the review of the 2012 budget documents, resident Keith Brown addressed the panel recommending the council go back to the department heads and work toward more cuts before finalizing the budget. Brown advised the councilors that it was time for the “dog to wag the tail” instead of the other way around.
Manager Steven Buck provided a PowerPoint presentation on the 2012 Capital Improvements Program, reviewing the cost centers as well as discussing past history and year-to-year comparisons. The net increase as compared to the approved CIP program of 2011 is just $1,980 or 0.37 percent.”
“Through the combined work of the council and committee, the 2012 CIP has been amended from the original proposals reducing the program by $221,250,” stated Buck. “Many of these reductions were in recognition of a revised program including refurbishment of several major pieces of equipment as opposed to purchasing new replacements. Several areas were also reduced per the utilization of surplus equipment gained through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) programs, thereby forgoing other new equipment purchases,” he added.
Following discussion by the board, Councilor David Martin moved to adopt the 2012 CIP document as presented. With no second voiced, Councilman Gary Aiken stated, “I think I would like to take another look at this.” Martin rescinded his motion. Council Bryan Thompson moved to table the CIP document in order to allow councilors to review it again, taking into consideration the concerns brought about by the citizens in attendance. Councilman Philip McDonough seconded Thompson’s motion.
Mayor Kenneth Murchison called for City Clerk Jayne Farrin, to take a formal roll call of votes pursuant to Robert’s Rules of Order. The motion carried with Murchison (as board chair) exercising his right to abstain from voting and the four councilors present voting in favor.
Councilors Mary Kate Barbosa and Jon Boone were absent from the meeting.
Buck was asked if there was any penalty to be applied to the council under the city’s new charter, if the budget was not approved on the third Monday in March. Buck replied that as voted previously, the council was operating under the bylaws of the former charter until this budget is authorized.
The city council panel next considered authorizing the proposed third draft of the 2012 municipal budget, Buck again, through a PowerPoint presentation reviewed cost centers, department requests and completed reductions. “The third draft indicates an increase in expenses of $91,901.42 or 1.02 percent as compared to 2011,” stated Buck. “The revenue report is $104,350.34 less than that of 2011 or a decrease of 1.95 percent. There is no municipal debt service for this year, thus eliminating $215,511 of prior assessment. The net impact on the municipal portion of the net tax commitment is a reduction of $9,259.24 or a decrease of 0.12 mils. This comparison is based upon the 2011 valuations and not the pending revaluation for later this year.”
Following Buck’s presentation Morrell again asked to address the council saying, “I would encourage the council to table this budget. I’ve seen the administration look forward to state revenue sharing as a kind of welfare check but the way the state is going we may never see those funds. We need to set a budget according to what citizens can afford to carry on our own backs.”
Resident Wilfred Martin also spoke to the council during the public hearing stating, “Revenue sharing wasn’t meant to last forever, eventually we are going to have to cut back — cut another 10 percent and see if we can live with that. I find many people are disappointed with what they are paying for taxes — taxes they can’t afford to pay.”
“We have to start fending for ourselves and get rid of some of the burdens that have nothing to do with local government,” said Martin. “Forget about the chamber, and we’ve got to do something about the museum and the trail system. That trail system will bring business to the area even if someone else is operating it. I’ll tell you another thing, an increase in taxes this year is unacceptable — you need to go over this budget and make more cuts. I’m not a happy camper if taxes go up.”
Following council discussion it was moved and voted upon to table the 2012 Municipal Budget until further consideration could be taken. Buck asked the council if they could tell him what areas they wanted further cuts in and he would look into the matter. Instead, the councilors agreed that they, as a group with Buck, should meet again to consider any further cuts. It was voted to hold a second public hearing last night (March 20), to work on these issues.
The next regular meeting of the Caribou City Council is Monday, March 26 at 7 p.m.
