BIDDEFORD — After two failed attempts to add money to the proposed school budget Thursday night, the City Council passed the proposal in a 7-2 vote. The budget still needs voters’ approval at the June 8 election, but the city-side budget is on a different path.
The Council gave the city budget its unanimous approval Thursday, but Mayor Joanne Twomey said she wanted to take up to seven days ”“ allowed by the City Charter ”“ to consider whether to veto it.
So although the council passed the total $52.9 million budget, which includes $27.8 million for K-12 education, $577,000 for adult education, $23.1 million for the city budget and $1.3 million for county taxes, the budget process for the city isn’t over yet.
There were some attempts to change the school budget from what was proposed on Tuesday. Councilors Bob Mills and George “Pete” Lamontagne tried, without success, to add first $200,000 and after that amendment failed, $175,000 to the proposed education budget. If passed by residents on Tuesday, the budget will be $1.8 million less than the current budget ”“ more than a 6 percent reduction.
As attempts to add money to the school budget were made, resident Wayne McBreairty said that, although the figure was a “pittance,” the council should approve it.
“It’s a small amount, but we’ll take it,” agreed Ryan Fecteau, a senior at Biddeford High School and a student representative on the School Committee. “The council is not seeing the picture.”
“I take exception to the notion that I don’t support the school system,” said City Councilor Rick Laverriere, who said he has volunteered at the schools.
He blamed state government for the decreased education budget because it cut financial aid to school districts across Maine.
When Mills made his motion to increase the school budget by $175,000 he said, “I’m very passionate about education. I guess there’s a difference between those who have kids in school and those who don’t.”
“I take exception,” said Councilor Patricia Boston. She said even those on the council who don’t have children in Biddeford public schools have friends, relatives and/or co-workers with children in school.
Members of the council struggled when deliberating the budget, said Boston, they took into account the school, city services and “the people who have to fund it.”
Only Councilors Mills and Lamontagne voted against the education budget. It will be the voters who make the final decision on Tuesday, however. They will also decide whether they want to continue voting for the school budget at a public referendum.
Fecteau said students will be at the polls urging residents to vote against the budget, which requires a reduction of the equivalent of 10 full-time staff positions, a decrease in special education and cuts numerous activities.
Most public participation and concern was focused on the school budget. Many were surprised though, when after the council had passed both the school and city budget, the mayor announced she was going to deliberate for a few minutes on whether or not she would veto either one or both of the budgets.
After going behind closed doors for a few minutes, accompanied by City Clerk Carmen Lemieux, Twomey returned to the council chambers and announced she would not veto the school budget, so it will be on the Tuesday ballot as scheduled. However, she said, she will take more time to consider the city budget and will be seeking input from members of the council during her deliberations.
“I think there is still work to be done,” said Twomey.
If the mayor signs the city budget as is, no more action will be needed. If she decides to utilize her veto authority the council will have to act again on the budget. It could make some changes, or it could override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
Prior to approving the city budget, the council did make one change from what had been proposed. A proposed $50,000 efficiency study would be paid for by surplus instead of raising the money through new taxes, and adding 1.8 cents to the tax rate, if the council chooses to conduct the study.
If the voters and the mayor approve the budget as is, the tax rate for the city will be $14.81 per $1,000 of valuation. That is a 2.7 cent increase in the previous year’s tax rate, which is a result of an increase in the county tax.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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