BIDDEFORD — In a special meeting Wednesday night, the City Council voted 6-2 to establish accounts using $1.1 million in surplus money, an order that was tabled on July 5 when councilors could not agree on the best allocation for the funds.

Councilors voted to approve an amended order calling for the establishment of reserve accounts in the amount of $415,000 – $135,000 below the proposed amount of $550,000 – pending the removal of several items.

City Manager Jim Bennett originally suggested that half the surplus, or $550,000, be used for the city’s contingency fund. The remaining half would go toward various municipal departments, including $100,000 for a capital improvement account for fiscal year 2017 and another $100,000 in grant matching reserves that could serve as seed money to secure grants.

Councilors tabled the order last week because they could not agree on allocation of funds to certain departments, such as a suggested $40,000 to the fire department to refurbish vehicles, including the repair of rust to truck frames.

“Let’s just fix the rust spot and call it a day. I’m not spending $40,000 on that,” Councilor John McCurry said July 5.

McCurry on Wednesday again expressed his concern on spending the money for fire engine repairs, an order already called for in the city’s fiscal year 2018 capital improvement plan.

Councilors removed the recommended $40,000 from the list, saying it will be dealt with in the future. They also removed $23,000 in compensation adjustments and $72,000 of the recommended $100,000 for capital improvement projects.

The $135,000 not approved for those projects will go to a reserve account to be used for projects that must be approved by the City Council before money can be spent.

The council did approve a recommended $20,000 for a watering vehicle for city planters, but moved the money into a reserve account pending further information about what type of vehicle would be purchased, and who would operate it.

Councilors Stephen St. Cyr and McCurry voted against both amendments. St. Cyr said he wants more money to go back to the taxpayers, a sentiment he expressed at last week’s meeting.

“It was a year ago that we specifically authorized the transfer of money for paving to go to the contingency fund,” St. Cyr said, referring to a $300,000 allocation to street paving should a road bond not pass in the polls. “The road bond did pass, and I think that $300,000 should go back to the taxpayers.”

St. Cyr said he wanted to deduct $300,000 from the total surplus to lower the mil rate down to the $19.73 rate.

“I guess since I seem to be the lone voice advocating for the $300,000 to go back to the taxpayers. I just don’t have the same urgency as other people have to spend every dollar,” St. Cyr said. “There’s a lot of need, but there’s always going to be a lot of need, and we have a lot of people in need.

“I’m not sure we have enough people advocating for them. We have something to share, and one way to share would be lowering the rate.”

McCurry said it wasn’t up to the City Council to set a firm tax rate, stating that the rate depends on the city assessor’s value of property after budget approval.

“If we say it’s $19.86 but if (the assessor) needs it to be $20.02, it’s going to be $20.02,” McCurry said. “I think setting the tax rate before all evaluations is done is a disservice, because it’s a number that could change … it’s never going to be completely accurate.”

The approved amended order now calls for $100,000 each to go toward grant matching reserves; $235,000 for City Hall renovations; $28,000 for capital improvement project reserves; $18,000 for computer hardware and software upgrades; $14,000 for the Charter Revision Commission; and $20,000 for the watering vehicle.

Some members of the public spoke before the council to express their dissatisfaction with how fiscal decisions have been made, saying that meetings and public hearings are not properly advertised, and that they feel they are being left in the dark.

“Before moving forward and spending this money you’ve allocated for the amendments, should we look at the changes we’ve already made and see if we don’t need the money for our departments?” asked resident Melissa Bednarowski.

Bednarowski said she is concerned about funding for the Department of Health and Welfare and has heard no mention of the review and validation of these changes at any city meeting.

Due to organizational restructuring, the city of Biddeford no  longer has a Dept. of  Health and Welfare. It has a new Dept. of General Assistance.

“I’d like to see council look at changes you’ve already made before spending any more money,” she said.

Following approval of the reserve accounts, the City Council will meet on July 19 to discuss capital improvement projects, including a fire suppression system for City Hall and the fourth phase of the Biddeford-Saco RiverWalk project.

CORRECTION: An article in Thursday’s paper on page A2 regarding the Biddeford City Council allocating reserve funds referred to a state rather than a city department. It should have stated: “Bednarowski said she is concerned about funding for the Department of Health and Welfare and has heard no mention of the review and validation of these changes at any city meeting. (Due to organizational restructuring, the city of Biddeford no  longer has a Dept. of  Health and Welfare. It has a new Dept. of General Assistance.)

In addition, figures referring to the tax rate appeared as years rather than dollar amounts. The correct numbers are $19.86 and $20.02.

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].