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Council weighs capping outside funding requests after contested $15,000 line item
Summary
Councilors questioned a $15,000 outside funding line that staff said exceeded the amount the council had authorized; members discussed a policy cap (suggested $5,000) and directed staff to phase any changes affecting organizations that rely on the funds.
Presque Isle councilors spent part of a budget workshop reviewing ‘outside requests’ — city-funded grants or donations to local organizations — after staff identified a draft $15,000 line that a council member said was authorized by vote at only $8,000.
A council member explained the city had previously approved an $8,000 contribution for a group but the city manager at the time had recorded $15,000 and the additional amount was paid; staff reported the organization later secured tax-exempt status and staff has taken the $15,000 line out of the current draft.
Several council members said that ongoing outside grants in the $20,000 range were excessive for routine allocations and proposed a policy cap in the $5,000–$7,500 range, with the suggestion that changes be phased to avoid sudden harm to organizations that rely on the support. Staff noted that two organizations (the chamber and Winter Green) would be most affected and recommended considering a gradual reduction if council adopts a cap.
Laura, the finance staff member, said the total of outside requests submitted this cycle was $75,827 and that removing the $15,000 request would lower the total under consideration to about $60,000. Councilors asked staff to return with a recommendation and a phased plan that accounts for organizations that already budget on the assistance.
The workshop did not adopt a final policy; staff was asked to return with options and the council left the line item removed from the current draft.
