BREWER, Maine — City councilors Tuesday night unanimously approved Brewer’s $12.5 million budget for fiscal year 2016, which includes a nearly 3 percent property tax increase.
The budget is a roughly 1.4 percent, or $177,000, increase over the current one. The bulk of the increase results from a $10.7 million reduction in the city’s taxable assessed value, meaning a loss of about $224,000 in tax revenues, according to City Manager Steve Bost. That loss of value stemmed from a city-wide revaluation — its first since 1960.
The budget will increase the mill rate from $20.92 per thousand dollars of property value to $21.52. This means that for a $150,000 home, the taxes would increase from $3,138 to $3,228.
Councilors on Tuesday also approved a $20.9 million Brewer school budget.
On June 9, Brewer voters hit the polls at Brewer Auditorium to decide whether to ratify that school budget. The polls at Brewer Auditorium are open 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
Also appearing on the ballot are a pair of charter change proposals.
One would eliminate the requirement that the school superintendent live in the city. Proponents argue scratching out the requirement will make it easier for the city to find a viable candidate for the job when the current superintendent’s contract expires. The residency rule was approved by voters at the ballot three years ago.
The other would create a provision in the charter that allows for school committee members to be recalled. A recall option already exists for city councilors. There has been some controversy surrounding the Brewer School Committee this year resulting from its decision not to renew Jay McIntire’s contract.
In each of those charter amendment votes, a minimum of 30 percent of the voters who cast a ballot in the last gubernatorial race need to show up to vote. About 4,200 Brewer residents voted in the last election, so for the charter amendments to pass, a minimum 1,261 people need to vote, according to City Clerk Pam Ryan. If fewer people show up, then both charter amendments will fail even if a majority of those who cast votes support the measures.
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