CARIBOU, MAINE — Following a round of capital expense cuts, Caribou city councilors have approved a $12.5 million expense budget for 2025.
The group voted 6 to 1, with Councilor Dan Bagley opposed, on March 17. The action was the final step in the nearly two-month-long budget process.
Before official business began, councilors recognized coaches and players of the Caribou Vikings boys basketball team for their successful season and state championship win at this year’s tournament.
Councilors know the dedication, hard work and positive impact student athletes have on the community, Mayor Courtney Boma said. Many athletes started out in Caribou Parks and Recreation programs and have gone on to play varsity sports as Vikings.
“We commend your strength and resilience,” Boma said. “By recognizing and celebrating the achievements of student athletes and coaches, the Caribou City Council hopes to inspire future generations to pursue their dreams, embrace challenges and contribute positively to our community.”
Boma presented each player and coach with a certificate of appreciation, and also acknowledged head coach Kyle Corrigan, who was named the 2025 Big East Boys Coach of the Year.
Last week, councilors recognized the state championship Vikings girls team and coaches.
The city’s original budget was proposed at $12.9 million, with capital requests totaling $1.9 million and anticipated revenue of $12.2 million. Department heads made initial budget requests in January and February.
Following recommendations by a capital expense budget committee, councilors voted Feb. 24 to cut or delay those requests by nearly $900,000, mostly affecting Caribou Fire and Ambulance.
The final budget proposal called for $12.5 million in general expenses, an amended total of $1.1 million in capital expenses, reserves of $865,944 and revenue of $11.5 million. A potential $1.2 million revenue shortfall would mean either cutting more expenses or raising the mill rate, City Manager Penny Thompson said on March 10. Councilors asked department heads to consider if further reductions were possible.
A public hearing, also on March 10, drew no input from residents.
Before voting on the final budget on March 17, department heads offered several additional cuts, including reductions in road paving, police and fire uniforms, heating, diesel fuel and equipment reserves.
Police Chief Corey Saucier did not want to cut funding for police dog Ace. The dog still needs to have two trainings a month to remain certified, Saucier said.
“I don’t want to lose a K-9,” he said. “Ace is the best K-9 in the state of Maine, and it’s been said several times.”
Councilor Tamara Lovewell favored funding the dog’s training and keeping paving budgets intact.
“I would like to see the $165,000 for paving left in Public Works,” she said. “As much as I don’t want to cost residents money, we have to take care of our city or risk further damage.”
Councilor Joan Theriault said she’d rather see the budget pass as presented, and try to make cuts later if possible. The budget can’t be added to later and she’d rather see the city have the money available than not, she said.
The fact that most department heads couldn’t cut much indicates they’re already “scraping the bowl,” Councilor Paul Watson said.
Infrastructure is a priority, but should be kept at the previous year’s amounts, Bagley said.
“I think we should preserve our essential services and fund them at 2024 levels,” he said. “I do not support continued taxation of our citizens to pay for this stuff.”
The group approved the 2025 budget as presented, without further cuts.
In other business, councilors voted to accept construction documents for the planned new station, and to work with architectural and engineering firm Artifex to seek bids for the project.
The originally proposed $10.2 million estimate has options that will reduce the price to $9.9 million, Boma said.
Bagley supports a new police station but the proposal is too large and expensive, he said.
Watson worried that federal government happenings could affect the plan in some way.
The group voted 6 to 1, with Bagley opposed, to accept the plans and move forward.
Thompson and councilors thanked Jan Murchison for her work in preparing the plans. The hope is to have bids back in time for the May meeting, she said.
Ouellette advised councilors of a barricade on the dogleg extension going from Bennett Drive to High Street due to road failure. He has spoken with local Maine Department of Transportation staff to see if they can repair the road, he said.
The council’s next meeting is slated at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 28, in the council chambers.
