April 27:  Depts. A: Code,  Commmunity Development, Executive, and Fire/EMS

The Assessment Department proposed budget is $164,890, which is a 4.8 percent decrease from the FY 2015 budget of $173,260. Last year’s budget included funding for computer services, which have not been requested this year.

The City Clerk’s office FY 2016 budget is $212,864, a 2.2 percent increase from last year.

City Hall is requesting $37,291, which is an 8.7 percent increase over last year’s budget. The department is asking for less money for power bills, but more money for maintenance.

Contributions is requesting $20,000, which is a decrease of $34.4 percent.

Debt Services remains the same in asking for $1,190,914.

Dispatch Communications will increase their proposed budget by 0.7 percent to $190,319.

Engineering remains the same at $25,000

Executive Department increases 47.9 percent ($159,064 to $235,314). The largest increase within this fund is due to a 370.1 percent increase in ICMA Retirement. 

This fiscal year, the Code Enforcement Office is requesting $228,610, which is an 5.9 percent increase over FY 2015’s $215,849 budget. This increase is, in part, due to a request that the office assistant work hours be increased from 30 hours per week to 37.5 hours. Other noted increases are a 47 percent increase ($2,098 to $3,084) in Maine State Retirement, 22 percent ($471 to $579) in workers comp, and 6.3 percent ($54,691 to $58,137) in health insurance.

The Community Development Fund is asking for $131,834 for fiscal year 2016. This is a 1.6 percent decrease from last year’s budget of $133,980. The decrease comes as a result of striking cell phone stipends from the budget request, and because only $169 of the $600 telephone funding from FY 2015 has been used.

The Emergency Medicine Response budget has a requested rate increase of 2.8 percent ($596,040 to $612,777). Radio maintenance jumps from FY 2015’s budget of $1,080 to $3,300, which is a 205.6 percent increase. Health insurance increases 36.1 percent ($18,384 to $25,029). Vehicle maintenance costs increase 25 percent ($8000 to $10,00). On the other hand, the gasoline fund request is down 34.7 percent ($2300 to $1,502), and dues and membership is down 14.2 percent ($2,715 to $2,330). 

The Fire Department proposed budget increases 6.8 percent from $1,536,756 to $1,641,211. The funding allotted for radios, lights and sirens will see an increase of 205.6 percent ($1,080 to $3,300). Equipment outlays increases 122.4 percent ($4000 to $8,894), and training increases 38.8 percent ($4000 to $5,550).

Interim Fire Chief Adam Miceli wrote in his report that the department has put off the CIP request to replace Engine 1, which will allow more time to evaluate the impact of having less equipment. “While this may save us the cost of replacement and ongoing maintenance, it appears that other local communities are not excited to share apparatus,” Miceli wrote in his report. He also mentioned a possibility of premiums rising for property owners based on the loss of ISO grading points. 

May 6:  Depts. F - G and Public Services/Solid Waste

General Assistance has a proposed budget of $82,040, which is a 13.9 percent increase over the FY 2015 budget of $72,017. Within the fund, workmens comp increased 22.2 percent, and Assistance increased 20 percent.

Public Services has a proposed budget of $1,604,092, which is a 3.2 percent increase over FY 2105’s $1,554,379. The largest increase within the fund is a 130 percent increase in equipment maintenance.

Solid Waste is requesting a budget 1.6 percent less than FY 2015. Worker’s Comp increased, but fuel and other expenses are being requested in lesser amounts. 

May 13:  Depts. H - L, Library and Recreation

Harbor and Waterfront proposed budget is $215,792, which is an 11.4 percent increase. The department has requested a 76.9 percent increase in the maintenance of floats and piers, and a 50 percent increase in mooring maintenance. There is also a 77 percent increase in payments in the state for lease fees.

The Harbor master wrote in his report five cruise ships are planning to visit Rockland in the fall. “They will add an extra $25,000 into the general fund and $20,000 into the port reserve,” according to the harbor masters’ report.

Legal Department proposed budget is $113,452, which is a 3.2 percent increase.

Lights and Hydrants has a budget request of $617,836, which is a 1.3 percent increase.

The Recreation Department proposed budget of $370,595 is a decrease of  .2 percent. Soccer goals and bleachers will be purchased for the Old County Road, according to Recreation Director Rene Dorr’s report.

May 18:  Depts. M - U and Sewer

The municipal fish pier budget is up 32.1 percent ($101,6501 to $134,250) . This is due to the need for repairs and maintenance. The City is applying for grants for resurfacing, dredging, pile work, and new hoists.

The sewer department has two funds. The preventive maintenance fund is requesting $131,175, which is a 12 percent decrease from last year. The other sewer fund is requesting $3,836,891, which is a 2.6 percent increase from last year.

May 20:  Police, Com. Devel. – Exec., Review and CIP Update

The FY 2016 proposed budget for the police department is $1,993,237. This is a 2 percent increase over last year . Along with increases in health insurance, retirement, and telephone fees, there are also increases in special assignment costs, holiday pay, and condo fees for 1 Park Drive.

The police department is considering seeking funding through a CHP COPS grant in order to add a school resource officer to the department. According to the budget report, there is a need for an officer to fulfill non enforcement related programs such as DARE, TRIAD, residential and commercial surveys, and more. “When a need arises for these efforts, it is now conducted by our officers on regular working hours.”

FY 2016 TIF Funds are designated as follows:

$85,000 for Elm, Museum, and School street sidewalks and storm water management;

$90,000 for downtown street light project; and

$17,000 for the Thorndike parking lot.