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Residents urge fiscal restraint as York budget committee hears public comment
Summary
Dozens of written and in‑person commenters told the York Budget Committee on Jan. 20 that rising taxes and large capital projects threaten long‑term residents on fixed incomes and urged the town to delay big builds and better use existing revenues.
More than a dozen residents and emailed correspondents urged the York Budget Committee on Jan. 20 to slow spending, reconsider high‑cost capital projects and use special revenues to limit tax increases.
Mike Mitch, who opened the public‑comment period, said the town must “slow the spending and get our debts and taxes down,” arguing rising costs are unsustainable for people on fixed incomes. He pressed the committee to explain why taxpayers were covering $150,000 for beach‑related services and asked where TIFF funds raised by beach businesses are being used.
Other speakers described specific proposals that worry taxpayers. Judith Hogan said she struggles to “wrap my arms around” two big items being considered: school consolidation, which she said has cost estimates ranging from about $33 million to $88 million, and a proposed community center she described as roughly $40 million. Hogan cited an illustrative projection she was shown that consolidation could add about $500 to an average tax bill and the community center another $250. She urged the committee to fully assess staffing, facilities needs and projected long‑term costs before advancing proposals.
Several emailed comments echoed those themes. Nina Wright’s written submission urged a high‑level review of tax drivers and suggested selling or leasing underused town property and postponing projects until bonds are paid down. Marina Mails and Sam Ramos asked the committee to fully fund the York Public Library operating request. Karen Tabbora asked the committee to return the budget to departments with directions to reduce spending and to explore consolidation options that do not add square footage.
Committee members acknowledged the concerns and said department presentations that evening would examine line‑item changes and potential offsets. The public comment period concluded with the committee noting a second public hearing for the budget on Feb. 12.
What happens next: The committee will continue department budget reviews at subsequent meetings and has scheduled an additional public hearing in mid‑February; taxpayers will have further opportunities to weigh in before final votes on operating and capital budgets.
