Piscataquis County budget challenge is real

The proposed 2003 Piscataquis County budget requires a challenge from the property taxpayer who will provide the funding to support this budget. There are crucial issues to be addressed today for all of us impacted by this budget. We are in the midst of an effort to improve the economic development of this region, we are concerned for security requiring attention to our law enforcement agency, we must be attentive to the staff who works the various departments in our country, and not to be ignored, we must be aware of the financial capabilities of our residents and taxpaying land owners.

The budget proposed by the county commissioners, in my opinion, seems to answer the “wish list” of all departments. I have said at the public hearing, and I will say again, this simply cannot happen. Those presenting their 2003 budgets must be told up front one of three things: Maintain the current 2002 levels of spending; submit a budget with reductions of 10 percent of the 2002 levels and set your own priorities; or at the very minimum, submit a budget with no more than a five percent increase. A firm guideline must be established in the creation of a budget so that all will understand the issues that must be addressed and the ability to fund those issues.

The fact that county revenues dropped 12 percent from 2002 should have been the first warning of trouble. Instead, the county commissioners have submitted a proposed budget that calls for overall spending to increase by 7.5 percent, a 19.5 percent swing. To meet this budget, the county commissioners have recommended an increase in the money to be raised by taxation of $362,438, or an increase of 19 percent over 2002. Economic development amounts total $104,000, $35,000 of which as been requested but is not in the current proposal.

The management of the towns of Greenville, Brownville and Milo are together in supporting 100 percent funding by the taxpayer. I have proposed that those on the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council go to the banking, insurance and real estate communities and seek funding. Those are the bottom-line organizations that will reap the real financial benefits to any development improvements in our county. It is not unreasonable for those businesses to provide funding that will provide an increase in their financial status.

The amount of assistance that these companies contribute is also a clear signal as to how good our economic development plans are. Greenville, Brownville and Milo are fortunate to benefit from a tourist trade that helps their local economies, and will probably be of the opinion that this benefit spills over to all communities in the area. Some yes, but not all. Nor do I believe that the benefits from the PCEDC effort will benefit all, therefore, if these three towns are successful in convincing the commissioners to approve 100 percent financing by the county, they could start by splitting the 19 percent increase in money to be raised by taxation for 2003 among the property owners in those three towns. This would also satisfy the wish expressed by the Milo town manager.

Along with the PCEDC funding is a 12 percent increase in employee health benefits, an increase of eight percent for salary increases. The district attorney has asked for an increase of $14,000 for professional fees and contract services. The registry of deeds asks for $3,000 for tables so people can be comfortable. Telecommunications asks for $26,250 for a dispatcher, and $6,500 for part-time and overtime. The sheriff wants two new cruisers for $30,000, plus $20,000 for overtime. And the county commissioners have proposed to increase their “donations” because they are over expended in 2002. The court house management has asked for $30,000, an increase of $20,000 for improvements. In 2000 and 2002, we were taxed for $10,000 in each of those years for the $20,000 used for its intended purpose, and why in 2003, with the need for economic development and sheriff’s cruisers, do we need to provide $30,000 for bricks, mortar, curtains and carpeting in the courthouse?

To summarize is simply to ask that priorities be set in making a budget request, and to eliminate the nonessential items and in some cases put off spending. Look to consolidation as a means of cutting spending. Do we really need three new copying machines in the courthouse? People will be unhappy if they can’t have everything they ask for, but they have one thing that some in my town don’t have – a job. And though it is the opinion of some of the town managers in this county that it’s OK to raise taxes, I don’t happen to prescribe to that philosophy, and a 19 percent increase to me is unreasonable.

So, to the people, the taxpayers, of Piscataquis County speak out now to your county commissioners, before it’s too late to pressure them to get out their pencils and significantly cut this proposed budget, taking into consideration all of the towns in this county. If this budget remains status quo, and when increases in your education budgets arrive for 2003, you will truly ask, “How much can I afford?” but by then it will be too late.

Harry Williford is the first selectman of the Wellington Board of Selectman.