BANGOR, Maine — After months of discussion, debate and deliberation, the Bangor City Council has tentatively agreed on a 2013 budget totalling $89,055,686, a figure that means a 2.3 percent increase in the mill rate.
“I’m never happy with a tax increase, but when you look at Bangor versus the rest of the state, a 2 percent increase isn’t entirely unreasonable, given the current economic conditions,” said Bangor Councilor and Mayor Cary Weston. “The theme was doing the same with less.”
Broken down into two main segments, the budget includes $47,636,961 for the city and $41,418,725 for the Bangor school system.
This will be the first mill rate increase since the 2011 fiscal year, when it went from 19.05 in both 2009 and 2010, to 19.2.
“It’s not fun and it’s not easy and no one wants to put through a tax increase, but we need to make some investments to make Bangor a place people want to live, work or visit,” said City Manager Cathy Conlow. “If you look at what we did 10 years ago versus what we do now, it’s not even close to being the same.”
The mill rate in 2002 was 23.75. The proposed rate of 19.65 for fiscal year 2013 means a homeowner with a residence valued at $150,000 will pay $67 more in property taxes.
Councilor Joe Baldacci said at least half of the mill rate increase is due to cuts in state funding, such as a 5 percent reduction in general assistance services reimbursements — from 90 percent to 85 percent above $750,000 spent by a city or town — creating a $120,000 funding decrease. Below $750,000, municipalities are reimbursed at a 50 percent rate.
Gov. Paul LePage initially wanted to cut the higher reimbursement rate from 90 percent to 50 percent — creating a potential $1.1 million shortfall for Bangor — but Weston and a coalition of mayors successfully lobbied for the 85 percent compromise.
“What you saw with the coalition was meeting [the shortfall problem] with a core solution and offering alternatives that achieve reform in a different way,” said Weston. “The council should be commended for seeing the opportunity behind the mayors’ coalition and sharing like challenges and concerns.”
The new budget, which awaits an official approval vote by the Bangor City Council on Monday, June 25, includes deductions and additions in terms of personnel, services and infrastructure.
The budget includes a bond issue for $2.5 million for road, sidewalk and bridge improvements throughout Bangor as well as wage increases for nonunion municipal employees.
Baldacci was among the proponents for increasing funding for road and bridge maintenance and city staff wages.
“The original budget called for $800,000 for roads,” said Baldacci. “We increased that to $2.5 million this year, and trying to continue to do that each of the next two or three years is the goal.”
Councilor Ben Sprague said despite current national, state and city economic woes, it’s actually an opportune time to accelerate capital improvements through financing.
“It’s inexpensive to borrow right now at less than 1 percent, so it’s a good time for the city to make these infrastructure improvements,” Sprague said.
Conlow said after three years of no cost-of-living increases in city staff salaries, it was time to address wage increases. She said the increases are for nonunion workers only at this point because the city is currently negotiating with 11 bargaining units.
“Our wage rates are slipping behind other municipalities, so it becomes a question of ‘do we want to take a chance on losing our employees to other municipalities?’’’ Conlow asked. “Just like a business, we need to remain competitive in the market.”
Conversely, while some city workers will see raises, some will have their positions cut.
“We looked at some services provided and realized there were some things we didn’t need to do,” Conlow explained. “I think we were more strategic about it this year in terms of reallocation.”
Five positions vacated due to retirement or employees taking other jobs will not be filled, and those responsibilities will be reassigned. Four other full-time positions will be cut.
Conlow said some Bangor homeowners will pay less in property taxes due to assessing adjustments.
“Residential valuations have declined in a lot of areas, so it’s likely that a significant number of residents will pay less because some assessments have gone down,” she said.
Instead of raise taxes and blame the state legislature, the Bangor council could’ve followed their lead and cut spending. It’s all about choices, and they chose to stay on a road of fiscal irresponsibility and place a burden on Bangor taxpayers.
>>Conlow said after three years of no cost-of-living increases in city staff salaries, it was time to address wage increases.<<
We're in the middle of a recession and the city's unemployment rate is 7.5% and they want to hand out raises?
Heckuva job, city of Bangor!
I heard it was only a 1% COLA, instead of the more standard 3%, if that makes anyone feel better…
Once again the Maine government has proven that when they spend more then they should they simply make the people pay more. Heaven forbid they should CUT some of the useless spending they love so much.
I can’t support wage increases for city employees. They have an outstanding benefit package, still get gifts like pensions (that are long gone in the real world) and they have recession proof jobs.
You need to differentiate between union and nonunion employees. Most of the “city Hall” folks are nonunion.
I have a very good friend that is one of the nonunion employees… He gets no pension, and while the benefits are admittedly good, they are pretty expensive, and only get more so each year. His wages are considerably below what he could make doing the same job in the private sector, but he justifies it with the security. Can’t blame him.
Before long Bangor mill rate will be $40 per 1000. All of the big wages of management starting with Att. City manager and down the line.
This is the cost of having Paul Le Page as our gowernor. Cut taxes for the rich and pass it on to the rest of us. It’s the tea party way. Wait till they figure out that they are the ones ones paying for the give a way to the Mitt Romney wealthy elite.
Pathetic
Stop blaming the Republicans and do something about it if you’re so unhappy. As I recall when the meatball was in office it was a heck of a lot worse! Oh and you want to put King in the senate. An independent my butt. He’s a true liberal democrat! How’s that hype and change going that Barry the wonderful promised!
Who is Barry? And where do you buy your drugs?
A truly stupid comment.
ad hominem
>>“The theme was doing the same with less.”<<
Here's the thing, Councilor Weston. While you're doing the same with less, those of us who are paying more of our income in taxes are forced to do less with less. The difference? I earned the money. You're simply taking it.
Where oh where are all those dollars that Hollywood Casino was suppose to bring to Bangor???? Higher mill rate?? Get ready for another hike when the New Auditorium is floundering.
Great point Jeff, nice name by the way. I was thinking the very same thing. Bangor is real big about spending money on the waterfront and signing contracts with Penn National, but what about the people of Bangor that are working way too much to ever enjoy any of that. with the Unemployment rate being what it is, only minimum wage service jobs ever available, and the skyrocketing prices of food and utilities, what are people supposed to do. Thankfully i do not own my home, i rent, but i truly feel sorry for anyone that has a home here in bangor. Even the idea of selling and moving to a smaller town is unlikely because of the terrible housing market. Shame on the city council for this being their only solution and hopefully the next time they are up for re-election, the people will let them know exactly how they feel.
I think that you already know the answer to that question, Jeff. The revenue was voted to be spent before it was received by the city to finance the new building’s costs plus bond interest.
Jeff- You are spot on. There is an amazing lack of common sense or fiscal responsibility on the City Council.
The new Arena will prove to be another massive drain on Bangor taxpayers, but instead of looking to trim the budget, our esteemed city council runs after the “new best idea” They look like children with Dad’s credit card—Just spend to create our newest “vision” for Bangor.
How about another correction: Bangor does not have a mayor.
I don’t mind the school budget increase. I do mind the salary increase.
Here is an idea when the state cuts welfare we cut welfare an equal amount then they will stop moving here or they will move somewhere else where they pay more
The council cost us a pretty penny on that house on pearl street that super councilor Longo fought to pay for.
Good point, but the Pearl St. property’s costs to the city were only a drop in the bucket when compared with 2.3% of the total city budget. I do agree, however, that electing fiscally irresponsible councilors does not help the problem one bit.
“Our wage rates are slipping behind other municipalities, so it becomes a question of ‘do we want to take a chance on losing our employees to other municipalities?’’’ Conlow asked. “Just like a business, we need to remain competitive in the market.”
It depends. Are they easily replaceable? In almost any case involving municipal workers the answer is yes
And judging by an article in the BDN from yesterday or day before concerning a swarm of honeybees in a tree in Fairmount Park, at least >some< of the supervisory personnel at Parks and Recreation need to be replaced for the poor judgement shown.
So P & R is now responible for swaming honeybees?
We can’t afford the taxes now. Are you nuts? When the houses next door go vacant with lawns 3 ft deep and plywood over the windows, will we get an abatement due to loss of our property value?
Mayor Cary Weston ran on a platform of lowering taxes and making the city run leaner… I guess when in charge of the taxpayer money he changed his mind… Stop the dam corporate welfare Mayor Weston. 42 millon school budget wasn’t mentioned on the ballot, just do you approve the school budget.. You are a sneaky bunch, the best marketers there are in the area……. Using taxpayer money to enrich yourselves and your business buddies.. an on and on and on. build this build that for the chamber. and they don’t even live in Bangor.
Thank you folks for helping DavidvsGoliath reach a milestone. David needs to leave, Goliath won the first round. 10,000 like means I’m approved most of the time. (-;
You want services? You’re gonna pay for thm, then. What do you want to see cut? What did they say at the budget hearing when you mentioned it? What? You didn’t go and speak your opinion? Then quit whining. It’s open to the public for discussion. State law. But you probably didn’t want to feel self concious standing in front of a group, huh. Well, that’s gonna cost ya. This crap costs money.
Oh, no! More taxes! Such a shame!
Did anyone actually bother doing the math before you complain about a tax increase? This is negligible. At $67 a year, that puts your rate bump up $5.58 a month. That is so easy to pay. Just buy a lunch each day that is $0.20 cheaper than you’d usually buy, and it’s paid for.
I think buying a $0.20 cheaper lunch each day is well worth the few extra funds the city workers are getting. Unless anyone didn’t read the article, they hadn’t received a raise in three years. City workers don’t make that much to begin with… and the cost of things like food and gasoline have rise dramatically in recent times. They hadn’t received any increase in wages, effectively meaning they were making less each year, and couldn’t contribute to the bangor economy as well.
Also think of the benefits of this deal:
Better infrastructure means more business. It means having a safer, nicer city which could attract tourists, business people, and much needed economic boost. It means the city itself will begin to prosper that much more, and each and every one of you will probably make back that $0.20 a day simply by working to accommodate the business and tourism.
I usually don’t find myself agreeing with Weston at all… but I don’t feel this was his ‘baby’ so to speak. It seems he made the concession to do the right thing for the city. I applaud him for apparently going against the grain a bit and not simply sit behind party lines like some politicians. I’ll still probably disagree with him on other issues, but on this one, I think it’s the right choice. This city needs an extra push. It hasn’t grown significantly in decades. We need to make the city back into the ‘queen city’ it once was.
Let the city employees buy a lunch that is only 20 cents a day less and then there wont be any tax increase!
Tea Party Mentality city/state employees are why you have to sacrifice?
In poor economic times eveyone and eveything has to sacrifice, are you portraying the municapal government and their employees as victims if we don’t agree with further tax nncreases. It is stated in the article that these employees choose these jobs due to the security of the position, they made
this choice they have the option to leave for a different position at any time. If it is only a small sacrifice fot the taxpayer than it is only a small sacrifice fot city government and their employees was the point