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Belfast council finalizes ranked list of prospective FY2026 congressional earmark requests and authorizes submissions
Summary
Council authorized staff to finalize a ranked list of possible FY2026 earmark requests — including retrofit of the former Waldo County Superior Court building and CSO/pump-station projects — and authorized the city manager to submit applications to the congressional delegation.
The Belfast City Council authorized staff on March 18 to finalize a ranked list of prospective FY2026 congressional earmark requests and to submit applications to members of the city's congressional delegation.
Economic Development Director Thomas Kittredge reviewed the city's recent earmark history and described projects previously funded and/or requested. He noted earlier awards including a $1,000,000 earmark used for the White Street project, a $1,500,000 earmark tied to a public safety building, and a $963,000 earmark for police department equipment. He recommended refreshing the previously submitted list of priorities and tailoring descriptions to current eligibility rules.
Council discussed strategy and eligibility across different appropriations bills, observed that competition varies by program, and suggested rewording or reframing project descriptions where useful. Councilor Paul proposed adopting a refreshed ranked list (including retrofitting the former Waldo County Superior Court building as the top priority) and authorized the city manager to sign and submit required paperwork to congressional offices. The motion carried 5–0.
Staff said they would refine project descriptions, coordinate with the city’s congressional contacts and return with any related application materials as required by the earmark process.
