Tim Nangle: Town budgets shape our communities and you have a voice

By Senator Tim Nangle

Every spring, towns across Maine begin the process of deciding how local tax dollars will be spent in the year ahead. In many communities, that process ends with an annual town meeting or a vote by the town council on the municipal budget. It may not get the same attention as state or national politics, but these decisions have a real impact on our communities.

State Senator Tim Nangle

Local budgets determine the funding for services that shape our daily lives, like maintaining roads and bridges, supporting local schools, keeping our fire and police departments equipped, operating libraries and parks and recreation programs and ensuring towns can respond when emergencies arise.

Our local budgets also have a big impact on property taxes, which is one of the top concerns I hear from Mainers right now. Property tax relief is something I will continue to advocate for in Augusta. While the State has some role to play in helping municipalities reduce the property tax burden – such as fully funding our share of K-12 public education and dedicating a portion of revenues to towns and city services – a great deal of our property tax bills is shaped by decisions made at the local level. Paying attention to your town’s budget process is one of the best ways to understand where dollars are going and have a voice in your community’s priorities.

Because these choices matter so much, it’s important for residents to stay engaged in the local budget process. Town meetings, budget hearings and council sessions give community members a chance to learn how funds are being allocated and why certain priorities are being proposed. They also give residents the opportunity to ask questions, offer ideas and share perspectives that might otherwise go unheard.

In Windham, that process is already underway. Town Manager Robert Burns presented his proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 to the Town Council in February. The proposal totals about $34 million in municipal expenses, a slight decrease of about 0.7 percent from last year. Under the proposal, about 35.4 percent of local revenues go toward the municipal budget, while 60.3 percent supports RSU 14 schools and 4.3 percent goes to Cumberland County.

Town officials have been working on the budget since December. Department heads reviewed their operating costs, looked ahead to future needs and identified equipment that may need replacement. Those requests were compiled by the finance department and reviewed by the town manager before the proposal was presented to the council.

Over the next few months, Windham residents will have several opportunities to engage in finalizing the budget. Revisions to the proposed budget are expected by April 14. A public hearing and warrant approval are scheduled for April 28, and the final budget will ultimately be considered by residents at the annual town meeting on June 13.

One of the strengths of local government in Maine is how easy it is to get involved and make your voice heard. Unlike the federal government, where decision-making can sometimes feel distant, local officials are neighbors and fellow community members. Whether you attend a town meeting, speak during public comment or simply reach out to a councilor, your voice can make a real difference.

At the end of the day, local budgets reflect our shared priorities and the kind of communities we want to build together. When residents take part in that process, they help make sure those decisions truly reflect the voices of the people who call these towns home.

For the latest, follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/SenatorTimNangle, sign up for my e-newsletter at mainesenate.org, or contact me directly at [email protected]. You can also call the Senate Majority Office at 207-287-1515.

The opinions in this column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of The Windham Eagle newspaper ownership or its staff. <