The Presque Isle City Council needs to cut more from the proposed $26 million 2024 budget to stave off a mill rate increase, members said Wednesday.
Meeting in the city hall chambers, councilors voted to continue with a third budget workshop and bring in department heads to try to reduce a budget that’s $1.3 million more than last year’s.
The city unveiled the budget on Oct. 18. The largest increases were in public works, with expenses projected at $1.7 million, $700,000 above last year’s amount; the Presque Isle Police Department, estimated at $1.7 million, $600,000 more than last year; and Presque Isle Fire Department, proposed at $1.9 million for next year, which is $600,00 more than 2023’s budget.
The council briefly discussed whether to approve the budget, make cuts themselves or continue with the three additional workshops that are scheduled.
“In years past, we’ve found ways to make the budget flat,” said Councilor Mike Chasse. “I don’t know if I necessarily want to see a flat budget, but I don’t want to see an increase of $1.3 million, either.”
It would be better for department heads to recommend changes because they would have a better idea of what changes could be made with the least impact on city services, he said.
Members voted to table discussion on the budget and proceed with a workshop Thursday, Dec. 6.
The council also bid farewell to two outgoing members.
Councilor Craig Green first thanked Mike Chasse for more than a decade of service, including as council chair. On behalf of the council, Green presented Chasse with an etched wooden chair as a gift.
Green next presented Jacob Shaw, current council chair, with an engraved plaque from the council and thanked him for serving the city.
James Carroll and Hank King were elected in November to replace Chasse and Shaw, and will take office officially in January.
In other business, the group voted to authorize a new ride program at the Presque Isle International Airport.
Started by Bryan Anderson of Caribou, the venture uses an app called Turo which pairs drivers with an available car.
“It’s like Airbnb, but with cars,” Anderson said. Turo is in use at Boston’s Logan Airport, and he has used it in places like Florida and New York, he said.
Cars are insured through Turo. People reserve for a period of time and are given a code for a lockbox containing the car key. They return the car to the airport when their time is up, Anderson said.
The council also authorized Deputy Police Chief Chris Hayes to apply for a $32,000 grant for a new police drug dog. The funds would cover the dog’s training, handler, cruiser conversion, a bulletproof vest for the dog and three years of food and veterinary care, Interim Town Manager Lewis Cousins said.
In his manager’s report, Cousins thanked all who helped put on the holiday festivities on December 2 in the city. Those included the Holiday Light parade, Festival of Trees, a craft fair, and a train ride that raised funds for the homeless shelter and Kiwanis Christmas project.
