HOULTON, Maine – The Houlton Police Department’s $1.5 million 2024 proposed budget got the most scrutiny on Thursday night during the first of three public budget review meetings.
The town of Houlton’s proposed $14.8 million 2024 budget increased $2.5 million over last year and includes significant increases for the police department.
Members of the Houlton Board of Budget Review and town councilors questioned Police Chief Tim DeLuca, who is also serving as the interim town manager, about the police department’s proposed increases for salaries and staffing, including a $290,680 increase in regular police officer salaries.
Last year the town cut DeLuca’s $1.4 million budget request, despite objections by DeLuca who said the police department needed those funds for staffing. At the time, Town Manager Marian Anderson, who retired earlier this year, said that the police department had been understaffed for many years and that’s why she decided to pull those funds.
For 2024, DeLuca is again asking for those staffing dollars that he said include contractual increases and projected four percent salary increases for department heads, DeLuca, who currently earns $89,000 annually and the department’s captain.
“I do have quite a few questions, this was one of the departments that had a substantial increase over last year,” said review board member Susan Tortello. “Clerical had an 18.3 percent increase and regular payroll was up 19.8 percent.”
Tortello asked if these increases included all vacant positions.
“The wish is that we be at full complement, but what is the reality of being at full complement this year?” she asked.
According to DeLuca he budgeted for a full complement of 14 officers, four dispatchers, clerical and administrative positions, although they are five officers down.
There are two new recruits almost through the application process, DeLuca said.
He talked about the national shortage in law enforcement officers and said that everyone is struggling with finding new officers.
Nonetheless, DeLuca said that it is critical to maintain the money in the budget for the 14 positions.
During the meeting, town councilor Jim Peters complimented Fire Chief Milton Cone for keeping a lid on his expenses.
“Milton, it looks like with the increase in salaries you still reduced your budget,I think that’s pretty good,” he said.
On Dec. 7, administration, protection, fire, police and ambulance presented their budgets to the review board.
On Dec. 12, community development, cemeteries, town buildings, public works, parks and recreation, the Civic Center, park maintenance and the airport budgets will be presented and on Dec. 14, the planning board, employee benefits, capital expenditures, debt service, and outside agencies. The public budget review meetings begin at 6 p.m. at the town office and they are also on Zoom.
There will be a public hearing on the recommended budget on Jan.2.
