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Portland selectmen approve $96,250 in supplemental transfers and $200,000 from auction proceeds after debate over priorities
Summary
The Board of Selectmen approved a $96,250 supplemental appropriation funded by higher structural-permit revenue and a $200,000 capital allocation from GovDeals auction proceeds to replace vehicles and equipment; some members pushed for a prioritized list of options before spending.
The Board of Selectmen on June 4 approved two supplemental appropriations: $96,250 in general-fund transfers to cover higher-than-expected costs in several departments and $200,000 drawn from GovDeals auction proceeds to replace vehicles and equipment.
Selectman (S2) moved the $96,250 resolution, which the board said will be funded by excess revenue in the structural-permits line. The motion itemized increases across five accounts, including roughly $32,500 for part-time building-department payroll and $34,000 for planning and legal fees; the board voted to set a public hearing on the appropriation for June 18 with a special town meeting to follow. The vote carried by voice.
On the larger, $200,000 capital appropriation, the board authorized purchases the town described as: a frontline highway pickup (estimated $88,500), two police equipped cruisers ($61,500), MSA SCBA air packs for fire ($20,000) and two resource-recovery containers ($30,000). Those funds come from proceeds of the town's online GovDeals auctions, which auction surplus assets and return proceeds to a capital-nonrecurring fund.
Selectman (S5) raised procedural concerns, saying, “I just I just have a couple of problems with this… I just wish that the Board of Selecting had a list first to be able to look at it,” and urged the board be given a prioritized list of possible purchases rather than a preselected package. First Selectman acknowledged the point and said the items were chosen based on departmental need and prior budget conversations. Staff member (S7) described the process of coordinating departments and noted that several of the vehicles and containers are no longer serviceable.
After discussion, the appropriation was approved by voice vote. Board members said they will review financial packets distributed by staff ahead of future meetings and said they expect to involve the wider board earlier in prioritization discussions when comparable opportunities arise.
What’s next: A public hearing on the $96,250 supplemental appropriation is scheduled for June 18 at 6:30 p.m., with a special town meeting at 6:40 p.m. The town said purchases funded by the GovDeals proceeds will proceed under the approved authorization.
