Lewiston Council debates budget cuts, police take-home cars, and fund balance use

The Lewiston City Council held a budget workshop to discuss strategies for reducing the tax levy, focusing on the police take-home vehicle program, nonprofit funding, and the use of the city's fund balance. Councilors reached a preliminary consensus to reduce the fund balance reserve from 10% to 9% to lower taxes, though they noted the need to replenish these funds by freezing vacant positions. The council also directed staff to explore overtime reductions and vehicle replacement schedules to further control costs.

Key points

• Councilors indicated a split on the police take-home vehicle program, with some supporting it for recruitment and others opposing it as a new cost in a tight budget.
• The council agreed to reduce the fund balance reserve from 10% to 9%, allowing approximately $1.95 million to be used to lower the tax levy.
• Councilors expressed a consensus to eliminate most cash contributions to nonprofits, with exceptions for the Liberty Festival and Balloon Festival.
• Staff explained that overtime in the fire and public works departments is largely driven by contractual minimum staffing requirements and weather events, limiting immediate cuts.
• Councilor Nagine proposed using police drug asset forfeiture funds to offset the cost of the take-home vehicle program, a condition for his support.

Next steps

• Staff to return with more information on the use of drug asset forfeiture funds to offset the take-home vehicle program.
• Council to discuss whether to freeze vacant positions during the fiscal year to help replenish the fund balance.
• Fire and Public Works directors to meet with the City Administrator to identify potential overtime savings and operational impacts.
• Council to review the vehicle replacement schedule for potential extensions to reduce capital costs.

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