Bangor council sets budget schedule, weighs $75M rec bond ahead of referendum

The Bangor City Council agreed to hold about 10 Wednesday budget workshops starting in April, one department per night, after the city manager's budget is released April 6. Councilors also discussed the proposed $75 million parks and recreation facility bond and ballot language, with several members signaling they want a revised, less costly plan with more outside funding. The council voted to go into executive session on union negotiations.

Key points

• Council agreed to hold roughly 10 budget sessions on Wednesdays, one department per night, with the proposed city budget distributed April 6 and the first session expected April 8.
• Public health will not apply for an HIV case management grant as a standalone applicant; the city will instead send a letter of support for Maine CDC's statewide application.
• Councilors previewed accepting an unspecified amount from Maine General Medical Center to supplement HIV case management services funded by $550,000 in opioid settlement money, with a formal retroactive vote to come.
• Council voted 9-0 to apply for a two-year, $40,000-per-year Maine Cancer Foundation prevention grant, with Councilor Wayne Mallar voting no after objecting that Bangor would serve the wider Penobscot and Piscataquis region.
• Councilors discussed the $75 million parks and recreation bond and ballot language, with several saying they want a new plan with grants, sponsorships and partnerships before returning to voters.
• Councilor Daniel Carson and Chair Angela Walker reported back from the National League of Cities conference in Washington, covering housing, disaster planning, opioid settlement funds and artificial intelligence.

Next steps

• City staff will confirm whether any Monday holidays affect the Wednesday budget workshop schedule.
• Staff will research the timing and process for revisiting the rec facility project if the bond is voted down, and a workshop or GovOps discussion is expected.
• A formal retroactive vote on accepting Maine General Medical Center funding for HIV case management will go to a committee.
• Council will consider a letter of support for St. Joseph's Hospital's grant application, with one councilor abstaining due to a work connection.
• Council may explore joining National League of Cities federal advocacy committees.

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