HOULTON, Maine – The Board of Budget Review spent another evening asking questions and gathering information in preparation for taking their recommendations to the town council in January. Departments under discussion on the Thursday, Dec. 13 meeting were: assessing, police, public works, code enforcement, community development, employee benefits, and tax abatements.
Assessing saw an overall increase of $18,934. State law now requires that all properties be inspected every four years and that personal property be evaluated annually, thus increasing workload and reporting requirements. A $10,000 increase was allotted for part-time assessing assistance from Carlene Bartlett, a local retiring tax collector who is also a certified assessor.
“This is a grand opportunity to do this with somebody we know, somebody who is qualified, and can do part-time without benefits,” explained Doug Hazlett, the Houlton town manager, “That’s just too good a deal to pass up.”
The two other major increases in assessing included $3,750 for the cost of updating digital tax maps and $1,935 for an increase in postage due to a new state law, which requires certified mail for personal property notices.
Overall, the public works department had a $32,718 increase, in order to reflect rising costs of calcium chloride, asphalt, salt, electricity, fuel, and parts. But there was some concern among board members regarding the apparent underestimation of needed funds in certain areas of the public works department, such as small tools and advertising. Most board members agreed that while they aimed to keep the budget low, they would prefer an accurate estimation as to avoid being too short on funds.
“I’m trying to maintain budget,” public works director Leigh Stilwell explained, “I try not to increase anything. We try to get by with what we’ve got.”
Board member Stan Ginish also suggested allotting funds for better quality road striping and marking.
The police department saw a $41,646 increase in funding to account for upgrading computer network software, special detail pay, and the rising costs for travel, electricity, and parts. Regular salary also increased due to new patrol sergeant positions, and the fact that the 2007 budget did not account for a salary for one vacant officer position, which will soon be filled.
Code enforcement and community development appeared to have significant increases, but this was due to a salary previously allotted under administration being moved and split between the two departments. The employee benefits department had a $6,896 increase, due to the increase for FICA. There was no change in funds for tax abatements.
The next board of budget review meeting will be on Monday, Dec. 17 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in council chambers. Departments discussed will be: the Chamber of Commerce, library, Red Cross, museum, Northern Maine Development Commission, Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, Snowmobile Club, and Roads 2000/Capital Reserve.
Assessing saw an overall increase of $18,934. State law now requires that all properties be inspected every four years and that personal property be evaluated annually, thus increasing workload and reporting requirements. A $10,000 increase was allotted for part-time assessing assistance from Carlene Bartlett, a local retiring tax collector who is also a certified assessor.
“This is a grand opportunity to do this with somebody we know, somebody who is qualified, and can do part-time without benefits,” explained Doug Hazlett, the Houlton town manager, “That’s just too good a deal to pass up.”
The two other major increases in assessing included $3,750 for the cost of updating digital tax maps and $1,935 for an increase in postage due to a new state law, which requires certified mail for personal property notices.
Overall, the public works department had a $32,718 increase, in order to reflect rising costs of calcium chloride, asphalt, salt, electricity, fuel, and parts. But there was some concern among board members regarding the apparent underestimation of needed funds in certain areas of the public works department, such as small tools and advertising. Most board members agreed that while they aimed to keep the budget low, they would prefer an accurate estimation as to avoid being too short on funds.
“I’m trying to maintain budget,” public works director Leigh Stilwell explained, “I try not to increase anything. We try to get by with what we’ve got.”
Board member Stan Ginish also suggested allotting funds for better quality road striping and marking.
The police department saw a $41,646 increase in funding to account for upgrading computer network software, special detail pay, and the rising costs for travel, electricity, and parts. Regular salary also increased due to new patrol sergeant positions, and the fact that the 2007 budget did not account for a salary for one vacant officer position, which will soon be filled.
Code enforcement and community development appeared to have significant increases, but this was due to a salary previously allotted under administration being moved and split between the two departments. The employee benefits department had a $6,896 increase, due to the increase for FICA. There was no change in funds for tax abatements.
The next board of budget review meeting will be on Monday, Dec. 17 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in council chambers. Departments discussed will be: the Chamber of Commerce, library, Red Cross, museum, Northern Maine Development Commission, Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, Snowmobile Club, and Roads 2000/Capital Reserve.
