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Lewiston council faces choice: deeper tax cuts that cost eight jobs or higher levy; police take-home cars factor into debate
Summary
Councilors debated a ‘tier three’ FY27 budget that would cut eight city positions to limit tax growth tied to a new property revaluation, while weighing whether approving a police take‑home cruiser program (about $439,836–$490,000) eases or raises the immediate budget burden. The council signaled it lacks five votes for tier three and asked for more line‑item review.
The Lewiston City Council spent its April 21 workshop wrestling with a difficult budget trade‑off: adopt a ‘tier three’ package that administration says would hold down tax growth but eliminate eight positions, or approve a higher tax levy and spare jobs.
Administrator Cainrath cautioned the council against notifying employees that their positions are at risk until there is “adequate support, firm support on the council,” saying such public notice would hurt morale. He told colleagues the city’s employment counsel had been consulted about notification and collective‑bargaining requirements.
Director Roy walked the council through the math linking proposed items to the consumer price index. He said the most aggressive package, including capital for police vehicles, would put the levy roughly 5.2–5.5 percentage points above the December CPI…
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