Issue
Property taxes and the city budget: where Bangor's council candidates stand
Many residents, especially retirees on fixed incomes, want lower property taxes. The council's June 2026 budget added staff positions, including eight firefighters. Candidates propose different paths: cutting nonessential spending, finding duplicated positions, broadening the tax base, or freezing taxes. BDN, Sept. 9BDN, Sept. 30
How should the city handle rising property taxes and spending?
Candidates in ballot order.
- Ballot position 01
Joe Leonard Incumbent
Called the June 2026 budget the strongest in years, citing new positions including eight firefighters. Wants more positions and new revenue such as enterprise funds. Says he would not cut city services without a full public discussion of what would be lost. Points residents to existing city hardship tax abatements, and says the economy is in a recession. BDN, Sept. 30BDN, Oct. 5LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:16:53 Watch at 0:05
- Ballot position 02
Michael Furrow
Supports tax breaks for businesses and would prioritize heating assistance and property tax relief for older residents. Would eliminate the city public health department and have the state provide those services. Would tax nonprofits to broaden the tax base, and opposes tax deals like the one for Yellen Pines. BDN, Oct. 2LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:19:57 Watch at 2:17
- Ballot position 03
Andrei Yermakov
Favors a property tax freeze and wants the city website to point residents to state tax relief programs. Would not cut city services just to lower taxes. BDN, Sept. 25LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:12:08 Watch at 3:11
- Ballot position 04
Anthony Cote
Would cut nonessential spending and focus on police, fire and core services. Opposes funding nonprofits through tax increases and worries rising taxes push older homeowners out. BDN, Sept. 22 Watch at 2:09:57 Watch at 5:11
- Ballot position 05
James Gallagher
Wants to cut unnecessary spending and favors community fundraising for city services over tax increases. Would better publicize programs such as federal community development (CDBG) grants that help seniors with bills and home repairs. BDN, Sept. 26LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:19:15 Watch at 6:08
- Ballot position 06
Terry Dinkins
Aims to stop tax increases and possibly cut taxes, though unsure where cuts would come from. Wants a line-by-line audit of the $145 million city budget. BDN, Sept. 20LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:08:24 Watch at 7:46
- Ballot position 07
Joseph Pratt
Concerned about rising property taxes. Would broaden the tax base, citing residency, excise and local sales taxes as options. For seniors, floated a property tax freeze or elimination at age 70 and a larger homestead exemption (which would need state action), saying the numbers would need study. BDN, Sept. 18LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:13:16 Watch at 8:33
- Ballot position 08
Adam Baker
Wants to trim the budget where possible and argues investing in public services offsets other city costs. Would renegotiate contracts for city-owned assets such as the Cross Insurance Center. BDN, Sept. 16LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:10:56 Watch at 9:45
- Ballot position 09
Dawson Nevells
Concerned about rising property taxes for seniors. Would look for cuts while noting that services cost money. Proposes a property tax freeze for homeowners 65 and older who have lived in Bangor 25 years or more, ending when the owner moves or dies. BDN, Sept. 17LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:14:35 Watch at 10:51
- Ballot position 10
Katherine Devine
Warns that programs now paid for with opioid settlement money could push property taxes up when that money runs out, and wants spending cut on programs she says are not working. BDN, Oct. 5 Watch at 11:36
- Ballot position 11
Jennifer McGinley Maskala
Wants spending cuts to ease property taxes, especially for people on fixed incomes. Cites the Pickering Square renovation as nonessential spending. Proposes a property tax freeze for homeowners 65 and older who have been in their home five years. BDN, Sept. 24LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 2:15:38 Watch at 12:09
- Ballot position 12
John King
Would look for duplication, such as combining two public health homelessness positions, and return savings as an income-based tax incentive. Says the 75% Yellen Pines reimbursement is too high. BDN, Sept. 29 Watch at 2:18:02 Watch at 13:45