The City of Calais is challenging the recently proposed Washington County budget, which increases the city's expected contribution by over 5% to $288,000. The discussion over how the city will proceed was the primary topic at a city council meeting held on November 17.
     "They're getting out of hand," Mayor Billy Howard said of the situation. "It's a pretty hefty budget." Howard acknowledged that the county took over the jail and should be compensated for that, but he said that the county does not pay for schools or roads like the city does.
     One factor contributing to the city's dissatisfaction with the budget is the frequency of the increases, with City Manager Jim Porter noting that last year it increased 4%. Another factor is the municipality's ongoing struggle to meet its own budget, which has kept personnel raises at bare minimum.
     Porter proposed "talking to other towns to see if they are as outraged as we are," before potentially inviting the county commissioners to a respectful public discussion to enable discourse on the issue. Other proposals included paying the previous amount or not paying the contribution altogether for a year. It was noted that the county can take action against the city if it does not pay for an extended period of time.
      There is ample time for the council to reach a decision on how it will handle the county contribution going forward. The county taxes were paid for 2016 less than a month ago, and the increased 2017 fees won't be billed until next May.
      The increased county taxes come at a time when the city is faced with other financial challenges, as Porter pointed out. Due to the state's recently passed increase to the minimum wage, many of the city's workers will be affected. No increase in wages was planned for the 2017 budget, although the impact is not expected to be significant initially. The workers who will be affected in the first year are those in the recreation department and Calais‑Fire EMS. Wages will increase again by $1 an hour per year until 2020, when $12 an hour is reached.
     "We'll be OK this fiscal year, but next fiscal year it's going to be tough," Porter said.
      The city is putting in a non‑binding letter of intention on two buildings being offered for free or at a low cost by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Public Works Director Skeet Seelye described the buildings as being metal insulated and added that one of them could be used as a replacement for the city's salt shed. Seelye said that the buildings have three specialized doors, one of which could be used by the city, saving it $41,000 from purchasing a similar door. The other two doors could then potentially be sold. Seelye noted that there would not be difficulty in moving the buildings but that it could cost $38,000 to put in a foundation.
      "I'm not in favor of expanding, building‑wise," Porter said, "but if it replaces a building we'll be replacing anyway we should do it." The council agreed to send a letter of intent.
      The city was contacted by Gary Young, who had previously negotiated an agreement with the city to repoint the St. Croix No. 1 Firehouse in exchange for a $40,000 tax reprieve, the adjoining parking lot, valued at $61,000, and $15,000 in cash. While completing the repointing, Young encountered additional expenses beyond what he originally anticipated, since the back wall needed to be replaced. He requested that the city help offset the additional $10,830 in labor and materials. The council unanimously rejected Young's request based on the fact that the additional work was not put out to bid and that the city's portion of the original agreement had been fulfilled.

Tax‑acquired properties reviewed
      A property on Lincoln Street that has been put out to bid twice will soon be demolished. The large white home was nearly purchased, but the buyer later declined, losing his investment of more than $5,000 by doing so. The house has asbestos siding and will be expensive to tear down. City Manager Porter said that he anticipates the cost will be between $25‑$30,000 and added that the funds could come from the $46,000 in remaining funds from the amount dedicated last year to demolishing buildings. The council agreed to begin the process for it to be torn down.
     The prospective owner of a home on Boardman Street is similarly walking away from his investment of $780 after seeing the unlivable condition of the home. The individual appealed to the council to request the return of the funds, but the council denied the request beyond agreeing to return $80, which was the amount paid beyond the minimum payment. Councillor Mike Sherrard opposed the vote, advocating to return the full amount in consideration of the individual's living situation, which he described as homeless. The property will be offered to the next highest bidder.
      Soon to be torn down is the home on Lafayette Street that had previously suffered from water damage and was occupied by a significant number of animals. There will be a final sweep to determine there are no remaining occupants before it is demolished.

Other business
     The Community Downtown Revitalization Coalition has received the Arlo T. Bates Award from the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce. The CDRC has been continuously active in promoting the downtown area to the community and generating interest in businesses and events.
      The CDRC contacted the city to request assistance in purchasing signs for the downtown area. The signs are expected to cost between $8,000 and $10,000. The city agreed to contribute $1,000 from the Dawson Fund, which had approximately $1,400 in remaining funds for the year.
     The next council meeting will be held on Thursday, December 8, at 6 p.m.