2012-2013 MUNICIPAL BUDGET PROPOSAL
The Town of Lisbon has posted on the town web site, the initial 2012-2013 Municipal Budget Proposal. Now, I fully understand this is only a starting point and not the final product. This budget will be worked by the Budget Advisory Committee, the town Manager, Finance Director and finally the Town Council over the next several months before a final municipal budget will be voted on by the Town Council. The people will NOT be able to vote on this year’s municipal budget.
I have been reviewing this budget and am terrible disturbed at the trends as outlined by the Town Manager recommendations in this budget. I guess it is not hard to understand why Eldridge's only desire is to spend more money since he does not live in Lisbon nor does he pay property tax here. The town Manager does not have a vested interest in the taxes for the people of Lisbon. Eldridge does not understand there are only two methods to reduce taxes and they are: (1) Increase revenues coming in and (2) reduce spending. This is not rocket science but apparently Eldridge does not understand these simple facts.
According to this budget, Eldridge proposes a 2% increase in pay across the board. I do not understand how in this economy this is possible especially when our department heads, including Eldridge, salaries are $166,000 dollars higher than the same department head in Skowhegan. There is also a proposal of a $10,000 dollars wage increase for the Park Ranger. Please do not misunderstand me, I certainly believe Verla Brooks deserves every penny of this raise but until the other department heads who are not earning their inflated salaries are reduced, I cannot see how this is possible. The two department heads who contribute the most to this town are the lowest paid: Recreation and Parks. These two departments generate revenue for this town and do an excellent job.
Now at the last Town Council Workshop, Eldridge announced he wants to hire a Planner for the Economy Community Development Department. We currently have an Economic Community Development Director who has not contributed anything to the town since being hired. Benson has talked a remarkable game but has produced absolutely nothing. We lost Kitty Korner and now Grazianno’s. More money spent and no revenue coming in.
Under General Government/Contingency there is a $25,000 increase or 163.16% for matching grants for Police Department Cruiser Video Systems $10,000 and furnishing to comply with Federal Grant Funding of equipment for Dispatch $15,000. Why is this line item under General Government/Contingency instead of the Police Department and Communications? Both of these items pertain to the Police Department and should be listed under the Police Department in the budget instead of under General Government. Brooks is trying to hide the actual cost of his department which is the largest drain on this town. This is how Brooks conceals his operating cost and ensures the people of Lisbon have no clue as to how large his budget really is.
In the General Government/Legal, Eldridge wants an additional $6,000.00 for legal fees. There would be no need for legal fees if Eldridge and Therrauilt did not conspire to force citizens to file lawsuits to obtain Public Records and information pertaining to how our tax dollars are being spent. There is absolutely no transparency in government in Lisbon. I have asked for the Credit Enhancement Agreements for the six (6) businesses utilizing the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program as directed by the state TIF Director and my request was denied. I am turning it over to the state for appropriate action since they provided the guidance. This is yet another example of Therrauilt providing false information to the town.
I will continue to update the people of Lisbon as I review this proposal.
Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen
ISAF spokesman 
According to 
