Staff Writer

 The Biddeford City Council last week gave initial approval to the $23.9 million city portion of the fiscal year 2012 budget.

Councilors also voted during a short meeting May 19 to reinstate $80,000 previously removed from the private schools budget line. The funds offset the cost of bus transportation for St. James School students.

Councilors Patricia Boston and Jim Emerson voted against reinstating the money.

The city budget, combined with the $31.7 million education budget and $1.28 million in county tax, totals $56.9 million. The budget increases the city tax rate by 5 percent.

The council is expected to take a final vote on the entire budget June 6. A school budget referendum is scheduled for June 9.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Mark Gervais and Superintendent of Schools Sarah-Jane Poli were the only people to address the council. Mayor Joanne Twomey appeared unhappy with the turnout.

“How many people live in this city? Twenty-two thousand and this is what we have,” she said.

Gervais said he found it unacceptable that the budget raises debt service while it decreases capital improvements. Debt service is increasing 27 percent while capital projects are decreasing more than 11 percent.

Poli said she wanted to address misconceptions about the $80,000 removed by councilors earlier in the budget process. She said the money is used for fuel and for wear and tear on buses.

“That money never goes to parochial schools, it always goes directly from the city to the schools,” she said.

Councilor Clement Fleurent said it was a “no-brainer” to add the money to the budget. He said it could be a safety issue if St. James School students had to walk to school instead of taking buses.

Fleurent questioned City Manager John Bubier and Finance Director Curt Koehler about the budget for Biddeford Municipal Airport. Fleurent, who does not want to close the airport, said he thought the projected revenue was inflated.

Airport revenue is projected to increase next year by $263,400, a 204 percent increase. Airport expenditures are expected to increase by $281,847, or 241 percent. Bubier said the numbers have increased since the city took over the airport from a fixed-base operator. The city now purchases and sells airplane fuel, he said. Koehler said the city is reimbursed for some projects at the airport. 

The final reading of the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 6. Public comment will be allowed on changes only. Budget documents are available at www.biddefordmaine.org.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.