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Budget advisory committee recommends cuts and adjustments that lower the proposed FY26 tax levy
Summary
The Budget Advisory Committee reported March 25 that its proposed amendments reduce the county’s proposed tax levy by $253,409 (about 2.15 percent), recommend $12,703 in targeted wage adjustments and propose holding some capital items pending further study; the committee will finalize recommendations April 3.
David Hennessy, representing the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC), told Sagadahoc County commissioners on March 25 that the BAC reviewed public agency requests, nonunion cost-of-living adjustments and facilities capital and that its recommendations would lower the proposed tax levy by $253,409, or about 2.15 percent.
Hennessy said the BAC approved the wage adjustments he previously presented; that change totals $12,703 and affects nonunion positions, with the committee citing discrepancies between Social Security increases and the consumer price index in its rationale. The BAC recommended reducing the accrued employee leave reserve (discussion noted a change to $70,000) and allocated $70,000 for a cooling‑tower item. Funding for a generator request was denied pending additional engineering recommendations; the committee suggested hiring an electrical engineer to define needs. The BAC also recommended holding funding for an elevator upgrade and brick repointing reserves because those items were recently addressed.
On capital requests related to Emergency Management, the BAC recommended funding a hazard mitigation plan and GIS capability and deferred funding for an EMA vehicle and ATs traffic cloud, which were characterized as savings plans. The committee approved all sheriff capital requests. Hennessy said the BAC will reconvene to finish capital review, then move to departmental budgets; the BAC plans to finalize and forward recommendations on April 3.
Why it matters: the BAC changes alter the county’s preliminary budget envelope and reduce the proposed levy, affect capital timing and rely in part on previously identified jail savings and a reduced unfunded funds balance. Hennessy noted the county’s unfunded funds balance is below auditor recommendations and that replenishment may be required in a subsequent year.
The BAC report given to commissioners was presented as a preliminary update; staff will return with a final recommendation to the board in early April.
