Committee holds $14,500 heating-assistance donation pending review; audit delays and budget scheduling draw scrutiny

The committee considered an order to accept a $14,500 donation from the Barbara Capacity Foundation intended for heating assistance but decided to pause the acceptance so staff can confirm existing unused donated funds and ask the foundation whether it will broaden allowable uses. The committee noted the city already has earlier-year funds from the same foundation that remain unspent.

Public Health Director Jen Gunderman explained how residents access heating support: first through general assistance (GA) case managers; if they do not qualify for GA, a local voucher program administered with partner agencies can provide fuel (propane/oil) support for Bangor residents and nearby towns; and the city’s foundation-funded program serves Bangor residents who still need help after the other layers. Gunderman said LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) may also be used and does not exclude applicants from city programs. “We’ve never turned anyone away because they couldn’t afford their heat,” Gunderman said, and she described efforts to improve outreach to harder-to-reach populations, including older residents who may not use social media.

Committee members then turned to audit materials and the budget schedule. Members said they had seen audit materials posted but asked when the audits would come before the committee. Staff reported preparatory work is underway but that not all materials have been sent to auditors; vacancies in the finance department have delayed progress. The committee discussed options to accelerate completion — including overtime vs. temporary hires — and some members proposed producing a non-audited “popular annual report” to provide timely financial information to the public while the formal audit is completed. Staff said they will return with a fuller schedule and additional documentation for the auditors.

The committee will add the donation acceptance to a future finance agenda after staff confirms unused prior-year funds and consults with the foundation about allowable uses.