Lewiston council approves in‑kind waivers, signals support for cash requests for summer events

Director Roy told the Lewiston City Council at a Thursday workshop that "the in‑kind request is $76,460," an increase from prior years and the first item reviewed from the nonprofit packet.

The in‑kind requests — which City staff said mostly waive park‑use fees and permit costs and rely on police, public works and fire overtime already built into departmental budgets — were approved for organizations that applied for summer events and programs. Administrator O'Malley told speakers gathered in the chamber, "the city council's approving all of that." The council did not record a formal roll‑call vote in the workshop transcript for the in‑kind waivers.

The council also discussed a set of cash requests from local nonprofits and event organizers and indicated those requests will be considered as part of the final operating budget later in the budget cycle rather than being resolved at the workshop. Director Roy said the cash requests are "the really the big issue" for the council to decide; no formal vote on the cash requests was recorded.

Why this matters: the grants and fee waivers fund Lewiston events that city leaders say draw visitors, support downtown businesses and provide recreation and community programming. The requests pair modest cash amounts with in‑kind services that rely on existing city staff time and overtime lines.

Details of items discussed

- In‑kind requests: Director Roy described the packet’s in‑kind total as $76,460, covering park‑use fee waivers and some permit waivers. City staff said costs for on‑site personnel (police, public works, fire) will come from each department’s overtime budgets. Rally for Recovery was noted to have both a cash and an in‑kind component; staff said the event’s $1,500 cash request would be paid from the city’s opioid fund and that the event also requests use of the gazebo (in kind).

- Cash requests presented (amounts as stated in the meeting): Androscoggin Historical Society — $10,000; Lewiston Balloon Festival — $10,000 (Auburn officials have indicated a $10,000 contribution as well); Lake Stewards of Maine — $1,500; Lewiston Farmers Market Association — $10,000; Lewiston Summer Fun Films — $10,000; Liberty Festival — $15,000 (Council materials showed $10,000 already budgeted for Liberty Festival and the organization requested an additional $5,000). Director Roy and councilors noted the packet lists roughly $46,500 in additional cash requests beyond amounts already included in the draft budget.

- Funding context and related cash on hand: Councilors were told that the city previously set aside $100,000 for the balloon festival but that money was moved back to the General Fund after a grant was received; the balloon festival currently shows about $52,000 in a dedicated account from the prior year. Director Roy and councilors discussed the option of using fund balance to cover some requests; staff said cash requests can be moved from the operating budget to the fund balance at the formal budget review if the council chooses.

Council debate and stakeholder remarks

Becky Conrad, who described herself as fundraising support for the Androscoggin Historical Society, told the council the society moved to 93 Lisbon Street to be "part of the fabric of the community" and sought $10,000 to expand programming and school outreach. Several councilors expressed support for the society’s downtown presence; one councilor, however, said they would "probably pass on that this year," describing fiscal caution.

Christine Geratton of Lake Stewards of Maine requested $1,500 and described the group’s volunteer water‑monitoring work and training role with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection: "We are respectfully requesting $1,500 from the city of Lewiston to support this program," she said.

Sherry Blumenthal, treasurer of the Lewiston Farmers Market Association, asked for $10,000 to expand senior programming, accessibility and grounds improvements and described an expected 13,000 visits per season at the market location.

Kathy McDonald and Marcus Talarico represented the Liberty Festival and described an event budget just under $36,000; they said fireworks costs had risen about 25% and that the group relies on fundraising, vendor fees and a booth at the balloon festival. Councilors discussed alternatives to fireworks (drone display costs, quieter fireworks) but did not adopt any change at the workshop.

Council direction and next steps

- In‑kind requests: Administrator O'Malley announced the council is approving the in‑kind waivers for the organizations that presented. City staff explained those costs are already built into departments’ overtime lines and other budgets.

- Cash requests: Councilors signaled a broad willingness to include the nonprofits’ cash requests in the final budget review; Director Roy said staff will bring the items forward in subsequent budget workshops and the formal budget process. No formal roll‑call vote on the cash grants was recorded in the workshop transcript.

The council scheduled additional budget workshops and a school budget presentation for a later date; Director Roy said staff will follow up with line‑item proposals and any clarifications requested by councilors.

Ending

Speakers and councilors were urged to continue discussion in upcoming budget sessions. Several councilors recommended exploring other funding vehicles — for example, TIF‑eligible programming — and asked staff to consult with affected department heads and partner agencies before the next meeting.