Bangor Council to Use Adjusted Property Values for 2026 Tax Bills

The Bangor City Council learned that the city's revaluation firm will not deliver final commercial property values in time for the upcoming tax billing cycle, forcing the city to rely on adjusted estimates from the previous year. Councilors discussed several budget items, including the need for additional clerk staff to reduce lost interest income and the potential removal of two downtown public restrooms due to high maintenance costs. City Manager Carollynn Lear outlined plans to present a revised budget on Wednesday that includes using unassigned fund balance to lower the mill rate and adjusting salary budgets to reflect realistic vacancy rates.

Key points

• City Assessor Bill Drew reported that the revaluation firm is two to three weeks behind schedule, meaning final values will not be available for the current tax billing cycle.
• The council agreed to proceed with the assessor's adjusted values for the 2026 budget and tax bills, with a plan to defer any significant value changes to the 2027 cycle.
• Councilors discussed the request for two additional clerk positions, noting that the city loses between $75,000 and $110,000 in interest income annually due to delayed check processing.
• The City Manager recommended removing public restrooms at Broad Street and Abbott Square due to excessive vandalism and maintenance costs, proposing relocation to City Forest and Wessex Woods.
• Councilors debated the library social worker position, with some expressing concern about relying on city funds for a role that could potentially be supported by non-profits or the county.
• The City Manager proposed using approximately $2.8 million in unassigned fund balance to offset the tax rate and adjusting salary budgets to assume a prudent vacancy rate rather than 100% occupancy.

Next steps

• City Manager Carollynn Lear will present a revised budget and updated tax rate calculator to the council on Wednesday.
• The city will hold a public information meeting next week to explain the residential revaluation process.
• The council will review the recommendation to relocate two downtown public restrooms and decide on the final locations.
• The City Manager will seek input from the homeless response manager regarding the library social worker position before making a final decision.

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