Portland’s City Council postponed a public hearing and vote on the 2015-16 municipal budget that had been scheduled for Monday night, overcoming objections from some councilors that Mayor Michael Brennan orchestrated the postponement beforehand without their knowledge.

The confusion over the postponement overshadowed the councilors’ decision to wait until they have more information about the state budget, which will help them make decisions on numerous programs.

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Portland Mayor Michael Brennan said Friday, “We are still looking for a partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, which is the largest provider of services.” 2015 Press Herald File Photo

Ultimately, the council agreed, in a series of 6-3 votes on specific segments of the budget, to reschedule the public hearing for June 1. That meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

At times, arriving at the decision was a confusing, chaotic process of motions, counter-motions, and ad-hoc scheduling.

Brennan said he called all the councilors several hours before Monday’s meeting to gauge their willingness to support postponing the budget hearing.

Brennan said he then consulted with the city’s acting city manager, Michael Sauschuck, and the city’s attorney. Someone – it was never explained who – ordered city staff to release a statement to the media at 3:25 p.m. announcing a “decision” of the council to postpone the budget hearing and vote.

“The Council has decided to postpone given the number of uncertainties around impacts from the state’s budget,” the statement said.

When the council actually met hours later, some councilors were perplexed at how city staff could preempt the council’s authority to act.

“I am completely baffled as to how this council could have made this decision and announced it this afternoon,” Councilor Nicholas Mavodones Jr. said. “Help me understand” how this was decided, Mavodones said to Brennan.

To this, Brennan, seated on the dais, leaned back and threw up his hands. Sauschuck, seated next to him, remained silent.

Other councilors quickly piled on the criticism.

“This is not how municipal government works,” Councilor Jill Duson said. “We do not caucus behind closed doors and then come into the chamber and present a fait accompli.”

Councilor Ed Suslovic said he was “at a loss,” saying the city on Friday even circulated a memo outlining the costs of pushing back the budget decision.

After five councilors criticized the move and asked questions, Brennan offered an explanation.

“I will say that the situation has been very fluid. …” he said. “The legislature was acting far more quickly on making decisions on the budget.”

Brennan said he called each councilor, asking if they would support postponing, but he did not reach all of them.

“Obviously, the news release that went out was problematic as to the wording of it,” Brennan said. “It’s very clear that no one can make a decision to postpone an issue that comes before the city council except the council itself.”

Some councilors said they supported postponing.

Councilor David Brenerman said that by waiting, the city would have more information from state legislators as to the fate of several large-ticket items, such as state aid for education.

We would benefit from more information we’d have several weeks from now,” Brenerman said. “I think it’s a wise choice to delay our vote.”

The council then voted to hear public comment on the budget.

Nine people spoke, most in favor of retaining funding for General Assistance and the city’s homeless shelters.

Although the Legislature has yet to vote on the state budget, city officials girded for the worst, and assembled a $221 million spending plan with millions of dollars in cuts to programs, increases in fees, 15 layoffs, and the elimination of eight jobs through attrition.

The potential cuts at the state level have been compounded by pressure brought by the administration of Gov. Paul LePage, that has targeted the city’s operation of its homeless shelter, and spending of General Assistance funds for asylum seekers.

Portland, Westbrook and the Maine Municipal Association are locked in a lawsuit with the state over the General Assistance money for asylum seekers, funds the state has withheld since Summer 2015. Oral arguments were heard Friday, but no decision has been made in the case.

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