Several Biddeford residents made an unusual request to city leaders Tuesday night: Raise our taxes.

Many of the speakers at a jam-packed public hearing on the proposed $54 million municipal budget told the City Council that they would be willing to pay more in order to support the McArthur Library, a community garden and city parks.

“I’m here tonight to speak in favor of raising my taxes,” Matt Boutet said. “We all live in a beautiful city, and we want the things that come with living in a beautiful city.” 

Public access to the library and local parks is important to parents raising families in Biddeford, Boutet said. 

“All of these things cost money,” he said. “When I look through the city budget, I don’t see some extravagant, bloated document.” 

The tax impact of the proposal, up 12.5% from last year’s approved budget, is not yet clear. City Manager Truc Dever said last month that the proposal is based on early projections for revenue and expenditures. It also doesn’t take into account county taxes, expected to be released this summer; fiscal year 2024 and 2025 audits; or the proposed school budget, which sits at around $53 million.

Still, Boutet said, the budget is an “investment” into the city itself. 

Resident John Collins also asked the city to raise his taxes. 

“Let’s look long-term, and not just where we are, but where we’re going, focusing on those of us with means and not on the backs of those with less means,” he said. 

Many of the speakers in attendance Tuesday night advocated for additional spending to support the library, which is privately owned and is seeking $1 million in taxpayer funding to support its operating expenses and programs.

Throughout the room, supporters donned maroon shirts to show solidarity with the library.

Jenn Zavala, who works at the library, said it is one of the only spaces where parents can take their kids without expecting to spend money. 

“It provides a place for my kids to have access to literacy, creativity, a place for parents to come and meet other parents,” she said. 

The library, Zavala said, has made it possible for her children to have “enriching” childhoods and for her to find a community. 

Several residents also spoke in favor of approving funding for the Biddeford Community Garden. 

Holly Culloton, the garden’s director, spoke about a “very real” possibility that more Biddeford residents will face food insecurity because of economic unrest. 

“These communal garden spaces will be more important than ever,” she said. “The funding we’re asking for will strengthen what we’re already doing.” 

But while support for the budget was widespread Tuesday night, not all residents were in favor.

Scott Croteau said he is “not OK” with how the budget is going to increase, citing “how the city has been run” over the past few years. 

“Costs go up, I understand that. Everything goes up,” he said. “But at some point, we need to bite the bullet and not raise the cost as much.” 

Roch Angers, a member of the city Planning Board and former city councilor, said he is worried that rising costs will drive residents out of town.

“Our taxes are going up. I know that they need to, I can understand it, but that’s why we elected all of you, to make those wise decisions,” he said. 

Discussions on the proposed budget will continue throughout the next two months, with the next public hearing scheduled for April 14.