CARIBOU, Maine — City councilors voted Monday to keep the property tax rate at $24 per $1,000 of valuation during a regular meeting. The vote came after adjusting the municipal budget to account for increased spending in several city expense lines, such as general assistance, legal advice and public works overtime.
The tax rate will raise $6.6 million in revenue to support a municipal budget of $8.7 million, pay county taxes of $355,272 and a total school budget of $15.7 million.
According to action taken Monday, tax bills will be due and payable on July 1, with 11 percent interest on delinquent taxes starting on Oct. 1.
Included in the budget adjustments prepared by City Manager Steve Buck, the cost of general assistance rose from $40,000 to $70,000, requiring an additional appropriation to reach year’s end.
The cost of diesel fuel for the public works department experienced a $40,000 increase. During the initial budget processing, city officials used a target price of $2.75 per gallon, far below the current price.
The adjustments also included an increase in legal fees, incurred when the city engaged an attorney to address a proposal by the Aroostook County Band of Micmacs to put land in a trust. That line item added an additional $10,000 to the original $17,000 budgeted for legal expenses.
Several items are expected to decrease such as in heating fuel and electricity for the recreation department due to the new building.
A debate ensued during the council meeting on whether the tax rate should remain the same or be decreased. Buck said that this year is expected to be a “cakewalk,” when compared to what next year’s spending plan will look like.
The city executive anticipated that the city would not have as much surplus funds to put into next year’s budget as was the case this year.
In other business, the council voted to put to referendum a city charter amendment that would eliminate term limits for several city committees and boards. The issue will be included on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The change would affect membership on such panels as the Hospital District, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Caribou Utilities District.
If approved the following sentence would be stricken from the charter: “Except for the Board of Assessors, all persons appointed by the City Council to municipal boards and committee shall serve not more than six consecutive years on an one board or committee.
Steve Wentworth, the city’s code enforcement officer told the council that at times the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals have not had enough members to do business. In addition, long serving committee members become more “proficient,” the longer they serve.
Jim Cyr, a city resident, urged the council to deal with this issue “creatively.” While the city does need people to serve, others who may want to serve should not wait until a term is expired before being considered.
“We would love to have people step up to the plate,” said Mayor Miles Williams.
After a public hearing, which drew favorable comments, the council approved a request for the Caribou ATV Club for trail access using a portion of Water Street and Armco Avenue.
Councilors also approved amendments to the Caribou Code Chapter 5 Fire Prevention.
Also receiving approval was a request by Virtual Management Solutions to section off a portion of Sweden Street for a block party. According to Michael Kinder, a company official, the event, which will introduce the company to the community, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 6 p.m. to midnight.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 14 at 7 p.m.
The tax rate will raise $6.6 million in revenue to support a municipal budget of $8.7 million, pay county taxes of $355,272 and a total school budget of $15.7 million.
According to action taken Monday, tax bills will be due and payable on July 1, with 11 percent interest on delinquent taxes starting on Oct. 1.
Included in the budget adjustments prepared by City Manager Steve Buck, the cost of general assistance rose from $40,000 to $70,000, requiring an additional appropriation to reach year’s end.
The cost of diesel fuel for the public works department experienced a $40,000 increase. During the initial budget processing, city officials used a target price of $2.75 per gallon, far below the current price.
The adjustments also included an increase in legal fees, incurred when the city engaged an attorney to address a proposal by the Aroostook County Band of Micmacs to put land in a trust. That line item added an additional $10,000 to the original $17,000 budgeted for legal expenses.
Several items are expected to decrease such as in heating fuel and electricity for the recreation department due to the new building.
A debate ensued during the council meeting on whether the tax rate should remain the same or be decreased. Buck said that this year is expected to be a “cakewalk,” when compared to what next year’s spending plan will look like.
The city executive anticipated that the city would not have as much surplus funds to put into next year’s budget as was the case this year.
In other business, the council voted to put to referendum a city charter amendment that would eliminate term limits for several city committees and boards. The issue will be included on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The change would affect membership on such panels as the Hospital District, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Caribou Utilities District.
If approved the following sentence would be stricken from the charter: “Except for the Board of Assessors, all persons appointed by the City Council to municipal boards and committee shall serve not more than six consecutive years on an one board or committee.
Steve Wentworth, the city’s code enforcement officer told the council that at times the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals have not had enough members to do business. In addition, long serving committee members become more “proficient,” the longer they serve.
Jim Cyr, a city resident, urged the council to deal with this issue “creatively.” While the city does need people to serve, others who may want to serve should not wait until a term is expired before being considered.
“We would love to have people step up to the plate,” said Mayor Miles Williams.
After a public hearing, which drew favorable comments, the council approved a request for the Caribou ATV Club for trail access using a portion of Water Street and Armco Avenue.
Councilors also approved amendments to the Caribou Code Chapter 5 Fire Prevention.
Also receiving approval was a request by Virtual Management Solutions to section off a portion of Sweden Street for a block party. According to Michael Kinder, a company official, the event, which will introduce the company to the community, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 6 p.m. to midnight.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 14 at 7 p.m.
