Council holds budget flat
NEW SEAT — City Councilor Calvin Hall was honored at Monday night’s meeting for his years of service to the community. Hall joined the Council in 2001, serving as vice chair and chair during his tenure. For his contributions to the city, he was presented with a chair embossed with the city’s emblem. Hall, seated, poses with Council Chair Jennifer Trombley and City Manager Jim Bennett.
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Citizens won’t see an increase in their tax bills next year, following City Council’s approval Monday night of the 2011 municipal budget.
The meeting began with City Manager Jim Bennett reviewing the process that led up to the evening’s final budget vote.
“All of these changes, if adopted, will bring the budget down to a zero, so you don’t have a tax increase,” said Bennett, referring to a number of changes he proposed to various departments that will result in reduced spending for the city.
In 2010, the Council approved the municipal budget totaling $12,442,509. With the unanimous approval of Bennett’s changes, Council was able to maintain that figure Monday night, passing the 2011 budget for the same amount as last year. Barring any increases in county or school taxes, taxpayers won’t see an increase in property taxes for at least another year.
“The original budget needed about $896,00 worth of reductions in order to get it down to zero. That amounted to a number of changes, including Planning and Development shifting positions to other departments and a reduction in employees,” said Bennett, noting the Presque Isle Fire Department would pick up code enforcement but lose two firefighters.
In addition, the Forum will be absorbed into the Rec Department, with additional staffing changes taking place for both entities. City officials plan to add up to three additional dispatchers at the Presque Isle Police Department as officers leave for whatever reason, thus reducing staffing costs for the department. Changes to how solid waste is handled in the city, with passage of “pay-as-you-throw,” will also result in savings, according to Bennett.
“Solid Waste, with the incoming changes, will reduce its tax liability by about $695,000,” Bennett said.
Resident Norm Johnson took the opportunity to address councilors, expressing support for the new trash program.
“As a Presque Isle resident for over 50 years and former councilor, I know you have a thankless job. I commend the manager for his forward thinking and am impressed with the budget as a whole,” said Johnson. “One subject near and dear to my heart on the budget … has to do with the landfill and recycling.”
Johnson said while the city had been recycling for many years, a “poor job was being done of it and the landfill shows (that’s the case).”
“I don’t think any of us should think this plan will go in effect in March and everything will go as planned. The Council and manager will look at (the program) and make corrections as you go,” said Johnson. “I think you’re heading in the right direction. It just has to be cost effective and fair to all.”
Subsequent discussion prior to a vote found Councilor Mel Hovey expressing concern over the fire department’s portion of the budget.
“I’m having a little difficulty with one department. Jim has done a great job bringing us to zero with no tax increase. I approve moving code enforcement to the fire department; but I can’t support the department’s budget as written,” said Hovey.
“I can’t approve the fire department budget for certain reasons and I want those reasons as part of the record. I don’t know how many (firefighters) we need at the fire department. We could work with less if off-duty firefighters were used instead of relying on volunteers. We allow them to have second jobs when they could be responding,” continued Hovey. “I can’t support that. I’m not in favor of the fire department’s budget.”
At issue for Hovey was the fact city-trained firefighters were using their skills with other employers, including Crown Ambulance, during their off-duty hours.
Following discussion, Council voted first to approve amendments to the budget, including all of Bennett’s proposed changes. Councilors then approved the 2011 municipal budget, as amended, with Hovey voting with the same caveate, noting his disapproval of the fire department’s portion of the budget.
In other business, Council:
• Recognized Calvin Hall for his service to the community as a councilor from 2001-10, changing from the standard presentation of a clock to the presentation of a chair with the city’s emblem as a thank-you gift for Hall’s dedication and commitment to the citizens of Presque Isle. Hall, who did not seek re-election, will be replaced on the Council in January by Bruce Sargent;
• Passed the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program, by a vote of 5-2, with Councilors Emily Smith and Hovey opposing due to concerns over language and equipment replacement costs listed in the document;
• Appointed directors (unnamed) of Presque Isle Players as members of the Arts Advisory Board;
• Set public hearings to adopt a Local Illegal Dumping Ordinance, with the first set for Jan. 3, 2011 and the second for Feb. 7;
• Set public hearings to adopt the Pay-as-You-Throw Ordinance, to discusses changes to the current trash disposal system to reflect changes as proposed, with the first set for Jan. 3, 2011 and the second for Feb. 7;
• Set the tax levy and commitment dates for 2011, with taxes calculated on or before June 2011 and set by July 2011;
• Approved a contract for aquatic services for 2011 at the Recreation and Parks Department, with Bennett explaining that Pool Director Joyce Price would be transitioning from a municipal to a contractual employee; and
• Approved 2010 salaries for Sewer District and the Water District trustees.
City Council will hold its first meeting of the new year on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
