HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Town Council passed a $16.3 million budget, up $1.4 million from last year, on Monday night without any public response during a hearing.
Employee benefits make-up the largest share of the budget at 18.5%, followed by police at 14% and public works at 11%.
During a budget discussion meeting earlier this month, councilors highlighted recent resignations and the need for more support staff.
“I think putting the money in the budget to be able to make adjustments sends a clear message that we take it seriously,” Councilor Fred Grant said.
Councilor Jane Torres said that money was not the only issue and that the current culture also tied to recent vacancies.
Several department heads recently resigned including the code enforcement/health/E911 addressing officer, the recreation director and public works and airport director. Additionally, the Town Council terminated the town manager’s contract in December following his Sept. 25 arrest.
This year’s budget also includes funding for a deputy code enforcement officer position to assist the code enforcement officer with issues related to town blight.
Councilors agreed that there is too much work for one person to be able to do and the town currently has no safety net when someone leaves the top code enforcement position.
“This is something that is desperately needed,” Grant said in a previous meeting. “An additional [person] to address some of the very serious issues that we’ve got going on is the priority.”
While the 2026 Aroostook County tax mandate increased 10.5% from last year, the RSU 29 obligation decreased 2.8%.
The 2026 mill rate has not yet been determined, according to town officials.