[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6553169,"mediaKeyId","5075172-c8189adf8364a2b14eb68957391b67fd","parentId",5075172,"title","Portland finance committee reviews state budget risks, eight proposed city budget amendments ahead of June 23 council vote","audioSeconds",2519,"startMs",268000,"endMs",2787000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075172-c8189adf8364a2b14eb68957391b67fd&start=268&end=2787","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075172-c8189adf8364a2b14eb68957391b67fd/thumbnail_268000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6553169/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Portland-finance-committee-reviews-state-budget-risks-eight-proposed-city-budget-amendments-ahead-of-June-23-council-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553169-86b7acb0d89c5e0f20dfd4fb060c28a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202319&Signature=O7v5aqEXCqA7PZgLXSonfX4dcjn6qfE2wpcl47xEKP99OkjXsYsMAeI0CmAgotUI5h0LyFLKAphRdn~dTf441H07NYGD2BtiMhZm~GDonL5fzHttxlnsOxufnR5QC4lVWBDmyhwvC2X-oW73xvsGv5HUeJWLJkhpjOKqsQ~ZbkgwpKDjnL6P0m28rjaQqj6feJKJwdC9ghbsjprV5r~4JnETvQ-7JDC11FPXMhZ5no7Jo0bhgNf9I7koFmBrtIFs8WQ6tQHwuh26pVA-aYHWYBp~T6-8Lf~xuIf75-FJX~VKQS0ZyUnWPr2hV3~c24EKztoh6q7aL9zwp1c7jjp~dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Portland, ME","date","2025-06-18T00:00:00Z","article","Portland’s Finance Committee on June 18 heard an overview of state budget changes that could affect the city’s revenue and several proposed city budget amendments ahead of a full Council vote scheduled for Monday, June 23.

The committee received the state update from Brendan O’Connell, the city’s finance director, who said one “of the most problematic pieces of the budget was the per bed night cap” in a state rule he identified as Rule 26. “Our costs of providing service at the homeless services center are $87 per night and the state has put a rule in place basically saying that the most anyone can request is a maximum of 47 per night,” O’Connell said, adding that the state would reimburse at 70% above that cap. He said legislative relief appears unlikely before the final state budget is enacted.

Why it matters: the cap could widen the gap between the city’s actual costs to operate shelters and the state reimbursements Portland receives, potentially increasing pressure on local budgets or service levels.

Committee members also heard that a governor’s proposal to cap general assistance after three months has not advanced in the legislature. O’Connell said “there may be some 1‑time funds added into the state general assistance budget which some of which could come to the City of Portland,” and that the city manager would likely recommend reducing planned use of the city’s unassigned fund balance if one‑time state revenue materializes.

The meeting then reviewed eight specific amendment proposals that councilors or staff plan to bring to the full Council on June 23. None were voted on during the committee meeting; staff said formal amendments must be offered on the Council floor. Key proposals discussed:

- Childcare vouchers: Councilor (name on file) is expected to propose adding $50,000 in the City Council budget line to fund the Portland Child Care Voucher Collaborative, extending voucher funds through FY27. O’Connell said the change would increase the tax levy by $50,000 and have “a mill rate impact of less than a penny due to rounding.”

- City council wages: Councilor Regina Phillips (District 3) said she will propose a 25% increase for councilors for FY26. Phillips told the committee, “I’m basically asking for the city council, to get a raise because we just don't make a lot of money. We don't do this for the money.” Staff explained the budget already includes a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment, so the amendment would add roughly $33,000 to the tax levy when the linked school board compensation effect is included. The mayor’s salary is set by charter and would not be adjusted the same way without charter action.

- Community engagement coordinator: Councilor Phillips described a proposed new coordinator position estimated at roughly $118,000 and said “every single year when we do our goal setting... we put on there that we're gonna hire a community engagement coordinator.” Staff noted the position was not requested by departments, used a provisional grade for costing, and that the city manager controls operations under the charter; adding the funded position would not automatically compel the manager to hire it, though past practice suggests mayor and council direction is usually implemented.

- Marijuana licensing enforcement FTE: Following a Council order amending city code on marijuana retail licenses and on‑site nonalcoholic beverage service, staff described a proposed enforcement position priced at $102,715 to support code enforcement workload. The committee was told the position would increase the tax levy by about one penny if added.

- School HVAC staffing and city facilities: Staff explained the School Department selected an outside vendor for FY26 HVAC services; that decision could eliminate two city FTEs allocated to school HVAC. Rather than lay off two workers, staff proposed retaining some HVAC capacity to cover other city facilities (Baron Center, multiple fire stations, the ice arena and Riverside Golf Course), potentially reducing headcount by only one vacant position and offsetting contract costs where possible. No final staffing decision was made.

- Fish Pier Authority and Fish Exchange consolidation: The committee reviewed an amendment that would consolidate the Fish Exchange budget into the Fish Pier Authority enterprise fund and authorize about $240,000 of Fish Pier Authority fund balance to cover an anticipated FY26 operating gap. Staff said the change is net neutral to the overall city budget and would not affect property taxpayers.

- Rent‑registration inspector: Councilor Ben Grant proposed funding a rental registration / inspection position estimated at $101,003 to increase inspection capacity; staff said the position could roughly double inspection throughput from about 4,000 to 8,000 (units), according to the inspections director. The FY26 tax‑levy impact was estimated at about one penny.

- Before‑and‑after‑bell program expansion: Staff from Parks and Recreation described an amendment to add four full‑time positions to the before/after school program at a net cost of about $62,000 when accounting for revenues. Angela O’Connor, deputy director for Parks, said permanent staff would reduce turnover and allow the city to add roughly 13 children per full‑time hire.

Discussion vs. action: committee members debated whether some positions should be phased in, whether further job descriptions or a wage study were appropriate (particularly for council pay), and whether the council should require more specific scopes for the community engagement coordinator. Staff reiterated that public comment on amendments will occur at the June 23 Council meeting and that details and backup will be added to each amendment before then.

The committee also took a brief question on the Climate Action Fund. Staff said approximately $125,000 of Climate Action Fund dollars is appropriated in the operating budget to support the sustainability team; no other Climate Action Fund appropriations are included in the FY26 operating budget as proposed.

Formal action: the committee did not take action on budget amendments. The only formal motion recorded during the meeting was a procedural motion to adjourn moved by Councilor Ben Grant and seconded by Councilor Pelletier; the motion passed by recorded voice vote.

What’s next: staff will add amendment backup documents for the June 23 Council meeting, when public comment and formal amendment motions are scheduled. The Finance Committee planned a follow‑up meeting on July 17 to continue work on outstanding items.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Remote Finance Committee Meeting - June 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Portland’s Finance Committee on June 18 heard an overview of state budget changes that could affect the city’s revenue and several proposed city budget amendments ahead of a full Council vote scheduled for Monday, June 23.","taxTitle","Portland, Cumberland County, Maine","taxId",2582,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553157,"City finance director presents fiscal‑impact estimate for proposed $20 minimum; projects 67¢ mill‑rate effect over three years",249,5592000,5841000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075172-c8189adf8364a2b14eb68957391b67fd&start=5592&end=5841","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075172-c8189adf8364a2b14eb68957391b67fd/thumbnail_5592000.jpg","/articles/6553157/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/City-finance-director-presents-fiscalimpact-estimate-for-proposed-20-minimum-projects-67-millrate-effect-over-three-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553157-8de42a5f6cd820f2bbfba148b6947dbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202319&Signature=hTFkPRwbzmG5X3XAQC0QZ5zyhBCgXxtpDs9Q4XgFqBnA8izpELEsIl2qK20tlWBKz3s~il3FZVSXQmdc~uGvBrQzIHPhK0NiHdNOwh4AcJdhAclWkMWhAGBHwl22C11BuHu3L22v0~8OySHGLmL0NEiyljxUK0tQVOogr95mo1k7ekJSCjWolmXMs-UOOpWfpBOrzJY1ujWgCMZrBtBEtYyy~vq8JXPVXrrgbHFjdbhUqY7nmZLfw1JmKa~rD94pdOhzoG~p1OYSN-oJprLzfVK-t8iaospPNB2RCUldqDRJ6KCdu3M3oTJzyqRK5grXMQZpET-kXhhCchmGA5njtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance Committee on June 18 reviewed a fiscal‑impact assessment prepared by city finance staff for a proposed $20 minimum wage measure.

Brendan O’Connell, the city’s finance director, told the committee that because of updated implementation dates there would be no fiscal impact in FY26. Under the staff assumptions, the estimated effect on the municipal portion of the mill rate is 67¢ over the three‑year fiscal‑impact window used for the memo (FY27 through FY29). O’Connell said that estimate would translate to roughly $333 for a homeowner with a $500,000 home when summed over the three years.

Methodology and assumptions: staff grouped city employees into wage bands (below $20, $20–$25, $25–$30 and above $30 per hour) using the most recently completed fiscal year. They noted many employees below $20 per hour are part‑time, seasonal or temporary (recreation, concessions, election workers). For employees in the $20–$25 and $25–$30 bands, staff assumed those workers would seek the same dollar‑amount increase in each year to maintain wage spacing relative to the new minimum; for employees above $30 staff assumed half those dollar increases. The memo also applied standard estimates for benefits and assumed routine COLA increases in subsequent years.

School district: Portland Public Schools staff told the committee they did not have a full set of comparable calculations for school employees above the $20 threshold; the school superintendent indicated no significant impact for employees currently under $20 per hour but the district had not completed the full banded analysis.

Timing: O’Connell said the FY27 impact is the first year that could show fiscal effects under the proposal; because the effective dates were adjusted, the city expects no FY26 budget exposure from the measure. Staff will supply the fiscal‑impact memo to the full Council; the Council will consider whether to place the measure on the ballot and related timing questions.

Next steps: the minimum‑wage fiscal note will be available to Council and potentially the public; Council members and staff discussed procedural timing needed to place a measure on the November ballot and agreed to track statutory deadlines. Public comment on the fiscal note and the Council’s ballot decision will be scheduled at the Council meeting where the item is considered.","Finance Director Brendan O'Connell presented a fiscal impact memo on a proposed $20 minimum wage. Staff estimated a 67‑cent increase in the municipal portion of the mill rate over a three‑year period starting in FY27; an illustrative $500,000 homeowner impact was $333 over three years under staff assumptions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553162,"Finance Committee revives PILOT (payment‑in‑lieu) draft; staff proposes $4 million property exemption and phased contributions",498,4801000,5299000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075172-c8189adf8364a2b14eb68957391b67fd&start=4801&end=5299","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075172-c8189adf8364a2b14eb68957391b67fd/thumbnail_4801000.jpg","/articles/6553162/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Finance-Committee-revives-PILOT-paymentinlieu-draft-staff-proposes-4-million-property-exemption-and-phased-contributions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553162-022999e538fa9be06d3bc5bca558217e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202319&Signature=mmoPKGmR8JpRsQe5CagwXJUmaa08uBNZ-SDcljLyFmztyMSg9r2-b1yKJFj~PTYNj2xPgQmRwMDNwPh~jbcvOKBNjMG-YuY6TW6s~uO8x21oVOyF-CtFPN2Ch0E3O9C~Zq6a6WCmazLEQ9Xf1YqJ3TTCa-saPx4zgWc2Xzw5EknA2rkpLgHjFkDUmCMjU~D9zCpA4~isql8TVxipLxrLXqUkHndullkizFpyVftqAD-TQFYAc81n4QWMV5YEgCY6rfBIDcl4MICSQjGMyfSL25MeFl~LcYwdsc7qceb6bpb~zi7pobI47-S3S9FkdBbKa5b4vI~wjZ3GSsSjiMLrrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance Committee on June 18 returned to a draft voluntary pilot policy (payment in lieu of taxes, PILOT) aimed at creating a uniform framework for voluntary contributions by nonprofit property owners.

Staff presented a working draft that would apply equally to current and future nonprofit institutions and would exempt the first $4,000,000 of assessed value for each property. The draft recommends calculating a pilot payment by first determining the taxable value above the exemption, applying the current municipal mill rate and then taking a percentage intended to offset the city’s cost for core services (police, fire, 9‑1‑1 dispatch and basic public‑works services). The working draft referenced a 25% baseline share for those services and also proposes a standard services‑credit—recognized community benefits could reduce the pilot payment by up to 50%.

Brendan O’Connell, the city’s finance director, described how the calculation would work and noted the policy could be phased in over several years (for example, 10% in year one, then 20%, 30%, 40% and full contribution in year five) to reduce immediate fiscal impacts on nonprofit institutions. O’Connell said the mechanism is intended to be voluntary and to encourage partnerships where nonprofit community benefits can offset part of the payment.

Why it matters: a formal PILOT program would create a predictable method for nonprofits to contribute toward municipal service costs and could affect city service funding if major institutions participate or decline. The committee discussed the percentage assumptions, the size of the exemption, and how to account for service‑credit valuation.

Next steps: staff said they will prepare responses to outstanding questions from council members and bring the topic back to a workshop at the next Finance Committee meeting (the committee planned a July 17 session). Materials in the backup included a letter from Councilor Sykes supporting a pilot policy and references to similar programs in other cities, including Boston, as background.","Committee members reviewed a working draft of a voluntary PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) pilot policy for nonprofit properties that would exempt the first $4 million of assessed value and calculate contributions as a share of municipal service costs, phasing in payments over multiple years.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553167,"Portland Downtown seeks $750,000 for ambassador program; city committee asks for specifics on roles and private‑property work",1797,2849000,4646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075172-c8189adf8364a2b14eb68957391b67fd&start=2849&end=4646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075172-c8189adf8364a2b14eb68957391b67fd/thumbnail_2849000.jpg","/articles/6553167/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Portland-Downtown-seeks-750000-for-ambassador-program-city-committee-asks-for-specifics-on-roles-and-privateproperty-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553167-4bc25ee0d3c9683956b5c6f4a8c656ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202319&Signature=oCOJBcGVbsi0lcQEKDZcIAMVp7chweql411lK2kmKKboC~J5~dLUzncsbwv8eiTH3mi0oP2p20Rcjv9hoiykTtJ-Gu9GimCvbZordsdD0-ZUPcLZ9xBMfAJVtS7ZbPP-OqV-Yh1tClWZfqswvEO-daWIR-W-ro5gzqRN7CdqyoFlTvSHYUj7y4byP6DD~FujTMllwAae6FuOLlQS1C5dVR6T-EpHif9SNqcbVOSYcmC37bn2Y9xsTcCRJEe8Jy1ag5xAwYpIvI4y~6CBSc-0uXEyPsyJlUIj75Gup5P0wIs0sTe0WfdvNo9Us-uLZ-kvjNzA2nWumajl8sVbETy~yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Portland Downtown on June 18 outlined plans for a $750,000 ambassador program intended to increase downtown cleaning, safety and outreach, and answered Finance Committee questions about funding, scope and coordination with city services.

Carrie Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown, told the committee the board approved a $750,000 allotment for ambassador efforts that will support roughly seven staff focused on clean‑and‑safe tasks. \"About 7 different employees that will be out and about in the downtown doing everything from graffiti removal... picking up needles on private property... to dealing with human waste,\" Tyson said. She added the funds also cover capital equipment such as a street cleaner, power washers and a leased vehicle.

Funding and legal framework: staff and Portland Downtown explained the program would be paid for through a special assessment on property owners within the downtown development district, not through the city property‑tax mill rate. Brendan O’Connell, finance director, explained the assessment is separate from property taxes and is authorized under Maine Revised Statutes provisions for downtown development districts; the City Council must still approve the district’s annual development program and the assessment amount before the assessment is billed to district property owners.

Coordination questions: several councilors urged clarity on how the ambassador roles differ from existing city or nonprofit outreach services. Councilor Regina Phillips asked whether the ambassadors would perform social‑service outreach or primarily cleaning functions; Tyson said six of the seven positions would focus on cleaning and maintenance, and one position would include outreach duties and coordinate with social‑service providers. Assistant City Manager Greg Jordan said the ambassador staff would be expected to supplement, not replace, Public Works, which is constrained to public right‑of‑way maintenance and is already overmatched by downtown workload.

Council reaction varied: some members supported a pilot approach or phased funding to assess effectiveness. Councilor Ben Grant said he would support the program as an immediate step to address escalating downtown cleanliness and safety issues and asked about deployment timing; Tyson said hires and training were scheduled to begin around July 1 with street deployment by mid‑July if the program is approved.

What this means: the ambassador program would be launched and paid for by downtown district property owners through a special assessment, not the city’s general tax levy. Councilors requested clearer documentation on the ambassador budget breakdown, the distinction between private‑property and public‑space work, and measurable milestones for reporting back to the council. The downtown assessment and associated agreements are expected to appear on the City Council agenda on July 14, when public comment will be allowed.

","Portland Downtown told the Finance Committee it plans a $750,000 ambassador program focused on downtown cleanliness and safety; staff and councilors clarified the assessment funding mechanism and asked how the program will coordinate with city public works and social‑service providers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Portland finance committee reviews state budget risks, eight proposed city budget amendments ahead of June 23 council vote

City finance director presents fiscal‑impact estimate for proposed $20 minimum; projects 67¢ mill‑rate effect over three years

Finance Committee revives PILOT (payment‑in‑lieu) draft; staff proposes $4 million property exemption and phased contributions

Portland Downtown seeks $750,000 for ambassador program; city committee asks for specifics on roles and private‑property work