Caribou council reviews 2026 department budgets as fire chief seeks large ladder-truck installment

Caribou — The Caribou City Council on Feb. 9 heard department-by-department budget presentations that will shape the city's upcoming municipal budget discussions, with the Fire & Ambulance Department's capital plan drawing particular attention.

Chief LaJoy told the council the department's 2026 capital request totals about $1,271,500, and that roughly half of that amount is a $625,000 first installment for a replacement ladder truck. "Estimates to get a truck by the time it's ordered to deliver it is about 4 years," LaJoy said, adding the truck must be custom-built to fit the station. He said replacement estimates have risen dramatically over his tenure and that a new ladder truck is likely to require voter approval because the project exceeds the city's charter threshold for referenda.

LaJoy also outlined other capital priorities: remounts for ambulances (including $100,000 installments), apparatus-bay door replacements, replacement breathing bottles that reach the end of their service life under OSHA/NFPA standards, large-diameter supply hose replacements after failures in testing, and multi-gas meters. He characterized the overall expense budget as "status quo" with targeted increases to equipment lines and a $6,000 offset tied to new permit revenue.

Councilors pressed for options to limit near-term tax impacts and to manage schedule risk. Several members asked whether leasing or taking a loan to lock a price would be more cost effective than placing a full purchase in the capital plan. "Once you place the order, that price is locked in," LaJoy said; he said he is exploring leasing and had three vendors providing information.

Police Chief's request focuses on fleet and recurring costs

The police department presented a 9% proposed expense increase over 2025, driven mainly by overtime costs incurred during a short-staffing period last year. The chief said the department is now fully staffed and expects overtime demand to decline. Major capital items are targeted cruiser replacements on staggered cycles and equipment outfitting costs. The chief said some recurring items have increased (psychological and polygraph exam prices tied to academy requirements, telephones, training lodging) and outlined a multi-year replacement schedule for patrol vehicles.

Public works and library priorities

Public Works said routine rising costs (fuel, tires, traffic paint and rock salt uncertainty) are driving modest increases to operations, while capital asks include a new plow truck and continued funding of street and sidewalk reserves. The director said storage and quality concerns limit the city's ability to aggressively pre-buy salt.

Peter, speaking for the Nylander Museum and Caribou Public Library, described minimal operating changes (1'2% increases in most lines) to reflect a 3% cost-of-living adjustment and higher utility and inspection costs tied to an ongoing renovation; he said the library expects active contractor interest for a bid opening scheduled Feb. 17.

Budget process and next steps

City Manager Penny reminded the council that the municipal portion of a typical property tax bill is about 40% and that the council will review department budgets over the coming weeks. Councilors asked department heads to document cases where proposed line increases exceed amounts actually spent in 2025 to clarify needs before final budget votes. The council approved a calendar adjustment to allow timely action on a Community Development Block Grant application and to accommodate the library bid timeline.

The council did not take final budget votes Monday; department presentations will continue at the next meeting and the council will refine capital and operating requests as staff supply additional clarifications and options for financing large purchases.