Gardiner council reviews budget; wastewater costs, TIF spending and proposed planning coordinator draw debate

Gardiner 99999City Council reviewed the proposed FY2026 municipal budget on May 21, with Finance Director Denise Brown and department staff outlining increases in the wastewater fund, changes to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) balances and a proposal to create a planning coordinator position to support economic development.

The discussion centered on whether to absorb rising costs through rates and reserves or to add staff and use TIF resources. Brown told the council the wastewater operating budget is roughly $2.115 million and that, at current rates, Gardner999999999999999999999999999999's share would fall short by about $61,000, requiring an estimated 4% rate increase to cover the shortfall.

The proposed wastewater changes reflect several cost drivers: contractual wage steps (salaries up about $15,635), a roughly $25,000 increase in electricity costs, a $15,000 increase for sludge disposal, higher licensing and lab costs, and a planned five-year lease purchase for a sewer-inspection camera estimated at $125,000. Brown said health-insurance costs in the fund are down compared with the prior year because of coverage-category shifts among employees.

Why it matters: wastewater costs affect sewer customers directly; TIF…