HOULTON, Maine — Houlton’s administrative and legal woes are partly to blame for a nearly $200,000 budget deficit, according to town records.
During a Monday Town Council meeting, officials said the town needs to tap into its undesignated fund balance for $191,000 for shortfalls in administration, fire department and Millar Civic Center budgets.
The $75,000 administrative shortfall is a lasting reminder of Houlton’s 2025 troubles Among them were legal actions related to surveillance cameras and the town manager’s arrest.
The administrative payroll and legal fees relate to several resident lawsuits regarding the town’s alleged noncompliance with Freedom of Access Act requests tied to surveillance cameras and police actions, along with fallout from the town manager’s Sept. 25, 2025, arrest.
The fire and civic center overages — $72,000 for the fire department and $44,000 for the civic center — relate to payroll, utility costs and equipment repairs that are partially offset by increased revenues, according to the council.
Public hearings are planned on Jan. 26 in the Town Council chambers regarding the request for additional funds.
In August, former Town Manager Cameron Clark told the Town Council that Houlton had depleted its 2025 legal budget handling Freedom of Access Act requests and related legal actions.
Clark pointed to the FOAA lawsuits as the “overarching reason” for the increased spending on legal costs last year and blamed the residents for the shortfall.
At the time, Clark said that $49,402 was for FOAA legal costs and $15,799 for other legal matters. He asked the council for an additional $40,000, which was approved in September.
But the town is still short related to legal fees, although councilors did not specify how much of the additional $75,000 deficit is related to legal fees.
Additionally, unexpected costs arose related to Clark’s arrest and incarceration on felony victim tampering and domestic violence assault charges when he was placed on paid administrative leave on Oct. 10, 2025, according to town records.
In December, the town cancelled Clark’s contract without cause.
The town had the right to terminate Clark’s contract at its discretion, but because it was terminated without cause, he received three months’ severance of his $131,000 annual salary and benefits.
During Monday’s town council meeting there was no discussion on the matter.