Bangor council reviews golf course, parks budget in workshop

The Bangor City Council held a budget workshop on May 13, 2026, reviewing the municipal golf course and parks and recreation budgets. Councilors discussed a golf cart lease, public restroom maintenance costs, and proposed staffing changes, and agreed to move the Cross Insurance Center budget discussion to May 28.

Key points

• The council agreed to postpone the Cross Insurance Center budget discussion, tentatively to May 28, to allow more time after an upcoming contract discussion.
• Golf and recreation director Tony Price presented the 27-hole Bangor Municipal Golf Course budget, noting nearly 38,000 rounds played in 2025, 401 sold-out memberships, and a new lease for 60 golf carts.
• Councilor Leonard questioned why the city had not set aside reserve funds for clubhouse roof and HVAC replacements, and suggested a more consistent reserve policy.
• Price reported a missed revenue line and said $143,900 in revenue would be added to the final draft budget.
• Councilors raised concerns about the cost and cleanliness of the city's four public restrooms, a pilot program now funded through the parks maintenance budget at roughly $100,000 more this year.
• Councilor First asked that the public restroom program return for further workshop discussion, and the chair said it would be placed on the next workshop agenda.

Next steps

• The public restroom pilot program will be discussed further at the next council workshop.
• The Cross Insurance Center budget discussion is tentatively moved to May 28.
• Staff will bring back a corrected budget draft in June reflecting the added $143,900 in revenue.
• Councilors asked for data on public urination and SeeClickFix reports related to the restrooms before further decisions.

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