1
Waterville's newest city budget raises the property tax rate about 5% — from $17.00 to $17.84 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Kennebec Journal / Morning Sentinel, Jul. 20, 2026
+9%
City Budget Growth,
One Year
One Year
Waterville, Maine · Mayor's Race
Paying more.
Getting less.
Taxes climbing. Downtown shrinking. City Hall problems that don't get fixed — just re-explained every budget season. Waterville deserves real accountability.
The Record
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2
That budget grew city spending 9% in a single year and leaned on $2 million in one-time reserve funds just to balance — even Mayor Morris called it "unsustainable" when he vetoed it.
Kennebec Journal / Morning Sentinel, Jul. 20, 2026
3
Weeks earlier, the City Council rejected its own amended budget outright and ordered deeper cuts after disputes over staffing and reserve-fund draws.
The Maine Monitor, Jun. 5, 2026
4
A state-certified needle exchange has had every site it proposed in Waterville turned down for years, leaving pickup limited to mobile outreach in homeless encampments.
Maine Morning Star, Nov. 25, 2024
5
Two Main Street businesses that anchored downtown Waterville for 44 years — Lebanese Cuisine and Paragon Shop — closed for good, with owners pointing to downtown decline and rising costs.
Kennebec Journal / Morning Sentinel, Jan. 15, 2024In The News
Read It For Yourself
Local and state coverage of Waterville's budget, safety, and downtown challenges.
Jul. 20, 2026
Waterville's mayor vetoed the city budget. Here are 3 things to know.
Kennebec Journal / Morning Sentinel Jun. 5, 2026Waterville rejects amended budget, orders deeper cuts
The Maine Monitor Jun. 18, 2025Waterville sees modest tax rate increase with new budget
Kennebec Journal / Morning Sentinel Nov. 25, 2024Needle exchanges face municipal pushback despite state, public health backing
Maine Morning Star Jan. 15, 2024Two longtime businesses close in downtown Waterville
Kennebec Journal / Morning SentinelJoin Us
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