Here's A Starting Place For Lisbon Budget Woes

Last night the Council approved the school budget as presented. The final vote was 4-3 with a lot of discussion about the teacher's opting for a pay freeze. Councilors Cote, Crafts, & Mason voted against the school budget because of the salary increases that are projected. Negotiations are still in play regarding the teacher's salaries.

Unlike the municipal budget, the Town Council has no statutory authority to adjust or change the school budget in any way. The School Committee has the sole authority to determine what line items and programs will be funded after the Town Council determines the bottom line amount of their budget. This was stated repeatedly by School Committee Chair Prudy Grant.

The Town Council has not come to any decision yet as to the municipal budget. They are discussing and bickering about finances to fund the town expenses. Early in the workshop, budget lines where there was little disagreement from the Budget Advisory Board recommendations proceeded without squabbling, but by the end of the evening, even those items were back on the table.

In a time when cutting municipal services is forefront this budget season, being able to look 'outside the box' and make rational decisions, information from other town budgets may be beneficial.

Click here to read about another Maine community facing financial cuts.

"Mergers of police departments would not come as easily, and may result in a reduction in the quality of service for some communities. But the inefficiency of adjacent small towns paying for individual law enforcement costs — cruisers, buildings, chiefs, etc. — cannot be ignored."
As appeared in Bangor Daily News, May 23, 2009.

Don't forget to watch the recap at 7 pm on Thursday, Channel 7!!