Bangor council reviews budget requests for housing, code enforcement, arts

The Bangor City Council held its second budget workshop on April 29, hearing requests from the Community and Economic Development department, including a $2 million housing fund, a new code enforcement inspector, a housing rehab coordinator, and an urban development officer. Councilors also discussed the Cultural Commission's flat $22,500 request and whether to shift unrequested Fourth of July funds toward arts grants. No votes were taken.

Key points

• Economic Development Director Anne Krieg presented new program requests including a $2 million capital housing fund, a quality housing provider program, a housing rehab coordinator funded half by block grants, and restoring a code enforcement inspector position.
• Councilor Daniel Carson and others voiced strong support for the code enforcement inspector position, citing complaints about unkempt and vacant properties across the city.
• Councilor Michael Beck asked about tying the housing fund to the federal Section 108 loan program and CDBG funds, and about staff time savings from digitizing planning files.
• The Cultural Commission requested level funding of $22,500, with an added $20,000 grant increase proposed to come from TIF funds rather than the general fund.
• Councilor Beck and Councilor Joseph Leonard suggested redirecting about $12,500 in unrequested Fourth of July funding toward the Cultural Commission; Councilor Carolyn Fish supported more arts funding but opposed taking it from the fireworks budget.
• City Manager Carollynn Lear noted the unassigned fund balance is projected near $19 million, above the target range, and said roughly $2 million could prudently be used to reduce the tax rate or cover investments.

Next steps

• Lear and the city manager's office will meet with the county administrator Friday to discuss possible cost sharing.
• Lear will prepare a memo on the return on investment of hiring staff for vacant property enforcement and on lost interest from delayed property tax check processing.
• Lear will bring back a priority ranking of new positions and programs, and will report on how other Maine cities fund emergency management positions.
• Economic Development will return within about a month with a property management RFP and a plan for the Main Street business enterprise, possibly in executive session.
• Councilors were invited to submit lists of capital requests they want to review or defer.

Read the full transcript