Bar Harbor Voters Could Approve a 15.7% Budget Increase Tuesday
Town Meeting at 6 at Conners Emerson
BAR HARBOR—This Tuesday, Bar Harbor voters have an opportunity to actively participate in their local government’s decision on the budget.
The fiscal year 2025 (FY2025) budget year is from July 2024 to June 30, 2025.
The town meeting is June 4, Tuesday, 6 p.m. at the Conners Emerson School. This will be where voters decide the fate of budget articles. The Warrant Committee recommends a $27,272,143 budget. The Council recommends a $27,268,529 budget. This is an approximately $4 million increase from last year’s recommendations.
The Town Council recommends revenues of $13,646,208; and using $412,242 from the Cruise Ship Fund Balance; and $457,428 from the Parking Fund Balance.
The net impact for the currently proposed budget is around a 15.7% increase for a median home owner with a home valued at approximately $525,000.
However, the median income for a Bar Harbor resident was closer to $67,000 in 2022. Home assessments and valuations, particularly in downtown Bar Harbor have increased dramatically despite the income of who owns the home. A person with a home now valued at $750,000 (above the median) could have an income well below the median.
A March 19 resolution and memo details where some savings where found.
The budget modifications came after the town’s Warrant Committee also reviewed the budget and recommended adjustments.
Many elements of the budget can’t be tweaked. Those include the MDI High School budget allocation once that is passed, the Hancock County Commissioner’s budget, and the AOS budget.
Town Finance Director Sarah Gilbert said Monday, “I really encourage voters to join us. Votes definitely count!”
At a February Town Council meeting, some residents expressed their worries about what was then a 20% increase in property tax bills.
“I don’t know how it’s going to come down, but it’s got to come down,” said Carol Chappell, who chairs one of the Warrant Committee’s subcommittees, and was speaking as a private resident before the town councilors in February. “You might have to take some people out of departments. The people in this town cannot afford it.”
JUNE 11 ELECTIONS
The election for councilors, Warrant Committee members, School Committee, and MDI High School trustees occurs June 11, a Tuesday, at the Bar Harbor Municipal Building’s third-floor auditorium. Voting is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Councilors are elected to three-year terms. There are two seats.
Warrant Committee members are for three-year terms. There are five spots open. Meg Kelly and Bailey Stillman are running for their seats. Also running are Brooke “Zana” Blomquist, Steven Boucher, Barbara Dunphey, and Gary “Bo” Jennings. Boucher has been on the committee before.
Marie Yarborough is running unopposed for the School Committee. Robert Jordan Jr. is running unopposed for the MDI High School Board of Trustees.
Land Use Ordinance amendments will also be on the June 11 ballot.
For stories about candidates and forums, go to our section called Candidate Profiles here. Blomquist and Boucher did not turn in a profile, but if they do, we’ll update them there.
FY25 Budget
Updated by Council action March 19, 2024 (changes to Sections 1, 3 and 6):
For more information:
Town Council order passed March 19 adopting the budget and recommending it to Town Meeting
Town Council order passed March 19 amending the budget, with list of line item changes
Town Council order passed March 4 tentatively adopting the budget and scheduling the public hearing
Video of February 26 Warrant Committee meeting on the budget Part I Part II
Video of February 27 joint Warrant Committee/Town Council meeting on the budget
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