Lisbon's Last Budget Workshop Before Approving Municipal Budget

By Todd Comber

Last night I attended the scheduled budget workshop that only lasted for about an hour and ten minutes.  It was just a continuation of past years where figures of 'potential' revenues are manipulated on a spreed sheet to project the monies needed to continue the services Lisbon is so famous for.   And it was very clear again, by the performance of  Town Manager  Steve Eldridge and his manipulation of the spreed sheet, that Council Chair Mike Bowie is the most versed and familiar with the operation of the Town budget. 

   

No one really knows much until the land revaluation process is complete and the tax bills come out in August as to just what the new mil rate will be.  There was a limited discussion on it going up and going down.  All hypothetical in nature because the data is still being put into the new program by Assessor Dow.  And that process is roughly 50% complete according to Eldridge.

SO the discussion towards the end of the meeting turned to who wants to cut the budget and how to do it.

Councilor Cote opened that portion by wanting to cut the Police Budget by $200K.  But never went anywhere as he had NO support from the other (6) councilors.   Gina Mason who so openly stated recently that she felt there were cuts to be made in the budget never spoke.  Dale Crafts  never chimed in.  Fern Larochelle said something but really amounted to nothing.  Lori Pomelow had a concern about $90k  of overtime in the Police budget but relinquished  and approved.  Mark Lunt increased the snow removal portion for next year. 

NO other areas of the budget were discussed.  The budget advisory board,  What have they done?  Nothing but 'rubber stamp' their approval of it.  


Where to Cut the Municipal Budget?  

Well based on the following information that the Androscoggin Regional Communication Center Committee had to work with, it seems clear to me that there is a lot of money to be cut from the Police Budget.  

So you decide and then contact your councilor.  YOU know the one you voted for and ASK, TELL or DEMAND that they DO something.    But better then that,  start planning now for this November and bring forth some great candidates to run for the three Town Council positions that will be open.

"That's my story an I'm sticking to it."