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Ellsworth City Council adopts 2025 budget, approves 90‑mill levy reported as an 18% tax increase
Summary
The Ellsworth City Council voted Sept. 23 to adopt a 2025 budget that staff presented as a 90‑mill levy; councilors approved the plan after debate about reserves, equipment needs and impacts on seniors. The vote carried and the budget will be published for implementation.
The Ellsworth City Council voted on Sept. 23 to adopt the city’s 2025 budget, approving a 90‑mill levy that staff described at the meeting as an 18% property tax increase. The motion to accept the budget "per Dustin’s recommendation" carried in a roll-call vote after more than an hour of discussion.
City staff framed the package as a compromise intended to preserve personnel pay and begin replacing long‑deferred equipment. "So this is a budget of 90 mills," a staff speaker stated while summarizing reductions and targeted capital‑repair items. Councilors pressed staff on the sources of the increase, whether water/sewer reserves would be tapped and whether wages or benefits would be cut; staff repeatedly said they were not reducing wages.
Supporters of the plan argued it leaves the city with funding to address aging vehicles and infrastructure that have been postponed. One councilor said the package was the result of negotiations and public input and praised staff for finding a middle ground. Opponents, and several members of the public during comment, warned that seniors and fixed‑income residents would feel the increase and urged the council to explore alternatives such as phased increases or additional sales‑tax measures.
After discussion, a councilor moved to adopt the budget "per Dustin’s recommendation"; another councilor seconded the motion and the council approved it in roll call. The mayor announced the motion carried and directed staff to publish the adopted budget and associated notice as required.
The adopted action means the city will finalize its fiscal documents for 2025 under the 90‑mill figure and proceed with the capital and equipment priorities described by staff. Council members said they will continue to explore options to reduce impacts on vulnerable residents while maintaining essential services.
The council’s next procedural step is publication of the final budget documents and any follow‑up hearings or special meetings if further adjustments are requested by councilors before Oct. 1.
