Caribou council accepts December financials, approves fire station design and contracts, and votes not to fund outside contributions

The Caribou City Council on Tuesday reviewed year-end financials, approved several administration and public-safety actions and set preliminary budget priorities for 2026.

Finance director presentation The council heard unaudited financial figures for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025. The finance presenter reported total assets of $15,072,985.72 and cash on hand of $8,031,622.44. The city collected $4,641,577.26 in December toward the 2025 tax commitment and had collected 89.3% of the 2025 commitment as of Dec. 31. The presenter noted a typographical correction to the financial notes ("2.3%, not 3.3%" was the correct year-over-year change).

Carryover transfer and acceptance of financials Councilors discussed carryover and lapsed appropriations. A motion to transfer $27,008.94 into the 2026 tax-relief fund (account 45604) passed on roll call with recorded ayes from Bagley, Kelly, Knight Fair, Lovewell, Smith and Watson. The council then voted to accept the December financials as presented; the roll call showed the same ayes and the motion carried.

Policy and governance The council considered a charter-mandated annual code of conduct resolution. Members debated remote participation language and an amendment to remove section 2.5. The amendment failed for lack of a second; the council then adopted the code of conduct as presented. The roll-call vote recorded Begley voting No and Kelly, Knight Fair, Lovewell, Smith and Watson voting Aye.

Public safety and contracts Amanda Jondro presented design-development documents for the new fire station and answered detailed design questions about the fitness area location, dormitory layout, captain offices and conference room. Councilors raised the option of tabling the decision until fire-union negotiations conclude; the council approved the design-development documents on roll-call.

The council also approved a 2026 contract with Oakleaf Systems for computer support and maintenance (no fee increase reported) and voted to accept a collective bargaining agreement with NEPBA Local 605 (patrol). City Manager Penny Thompson was authorized to execute the Oakleaf contract.

Budget priorities and contributions City Manager Penny Thompson led an initial discussion of 2026 budget priorities, including cemetery maintenance funding, emergency-management stipend reinstatement and recruitment and retention for key positions. Councilors also discussed capital planning and proposals such as exploring a hybrid (rental) fleet model for municipal vehicles to reduce long-term capital costs. After discussion, the council voted not to fund outside contributions in 2026; the motion carried on roll call.

Executive session At the end of the public meeting, council members voted to enter executive session for union negotiations under 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(D) (fire department).

What passed (at a glance) - Transfer $27,008.94 to 2026 tax-relief fund (account 45604): passed (aye votes recorded). - Accept December 2025 financials: passed. - Adopt code of conduct (as presented): passed (Begley No). - Approve fire station design-development documents: passed. - Approve Oakleaf Systems 2026 contract: passed. - Ratify collective bargaining agreement with NEPBA Local 605 (patrol): passed. - Do not fund outside contributions for 2026: passed.

Next steps and context Several votes were procedural approvals of staff-submitted documents; the budget discussion remains preliminary and councilors signaled further capital and budget review sessions will occur in the coming weeks. The meeting closed the public portion and moved to executive session on union negotiations.