As budget season begins, city and school officials from Westbrook say they are planning to stick together in the face of a state budget that could squeeze more local dollars.
At a joint City Council and School Committee meeting Monday, City Administrator Jerre Bryant and Superintendent of Schools Marc Gousse gave an overview of the challenges facing their respective budgets – much of which is tied to state legislation and Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed state budget.
Bryant said uncertainties in state revenue are the major headache for the municipal budget. Two years ago, Westbrook’s municipal revenue sharing was cut by $600,000, and if LePage’s current budget proposal to eliminate revenue sharing comes to fruition, the city would lose just under $1 million over the next two years.
He added that proposed changes to the General Assistance program and state road funding could also cut some $50,000 each in revenue for the city.
“More than likely, we’ll be adopting our budget locally before the Legislature has decided on the state budget,” Bryant said.
Another possible impact through state legislation is the removal of the Homestead Exemption, which deducts $10,000 from property valuation when calculating local property tax costs. Bryant said if it’s removed, Westbrook residents would see an automatic increase of $172 regardless of the city’s property tax rate.
“This is the backdrop under which we’re trying to put together as careful and conservative budget as possible,” he said.
City Councilor Michael Foley said he and other city officials have met with the state legislative delegation to discuss their concerns.
Gousse said he and Bryant have been meeting regularly to discuss both budgets, and believes the city and school have never had better collaboration. The meetings were the result of perceived tension between the city and school departments during last year’s budget process.
“We’re stronger and united locally, and really the challenge is in Augusta,” he said.
Gousse said state revenue will also be an issue for the schools in next year’s budget.
The draft school budget will recommend a spending increase of 1.25 percent, he said.
“We faced a significant revenue differential,” he said, referring to a drop of $300,000 in state revenue.
The school finance committee was set to receive Gousse’s proposed budget on Wednesday, March 4, after the American Journal’s deadline.
Westbrook’s municipal budget will be presented to the City Council on Monday, March 9, at 7 p.m., in Room 114 of Westbrook High School.
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