Budgets 2024: Bristol drops mill rate 15 cents, assessing repairs on Norway Bay pier

Budgets 2024: Bristol drops mill rate 15 cents, assessing repairs on Norway Bay pier

CHIP 101.9 spoke with Bristol Mayor Brent Orr about the municipality’s budget for 2024.

Revenues

Bristol, like several other municipalities, saw a sizable increase in property assessments, which Orr attributed to the pandemic’s impact on home sales. The overall property valuation nearly doubled from $259,077,100 in 2023 to $405,152,800 this year.  Orr said that they typically have to adjust the mill rate in response to changes in the triennial roll, however the size of the change meant they had to make a bigger adjustment than usual (from 68 cents per $100 valuation in 2023 to 53 cents this year).

Expenses

Orr said that they would be investing in upgrades to their municipal fire hall and also looking at a long-term solution for the pier in Norway Bay. He explained that the pier is in need of extensive repairs, though the council is awaiting the report from an inspection of the structure that took place last year. Orr said that they expect the report back this spring, and they will decide on a plan of action when they know their options.

The full 2024 Bristol budget is available here: Bristol-2024