Council restores MIS director and orders third‑floor reorganization as part of FY27 municipal adjustments

The Lewiston City Council amended its FY27 municipal adjustments to restore the city’s MIS director position, eliminate the (vacant) economic development director position and direct the city administrator to reorganize third‑floor departments (planning & code, MIS, assessing, economic development). The amendment passed 5–2.

Council debate centered on trade‑offs between headcount reductions, cyber‑security risk and longer‑term strategic capacity. Administrator Kenrath told council that a reorganization would likely combine oversight of affected functions under an existing director and that the economic‑development positions were TIFF‑funded, limiting immediate savings without reallocation. He also warned that cutting MIS leadership could force contracting out technical work and increase long‑term costs.

Fire Chief Karen argued freezing two entry‑level firefighter positions would increase overtime and likely raise costs: “If I don’t have an entry‑level firefighter on that shift… I’m paying overtime to fill that shift,” she said, explaining entry‑level firefighters reduce overtime exposure by covering routine absences. Councilors repeatedly returned to process and morale, with some arguing that eliminating vacant positions is preferable to displacing long‑standing employees.

After amendments and smaller line‑item adjustments (including removal of a council snack supply line), the council adopted the final adjustments and later adopted the municipal appropriation. The final municipal adjustments passed by a 5–2 roll call; the appropriation resolve passed 5–2 as well. Administration said it will reconcile the adopted changes and publish updated staffing and financial schedules for council and public review.

The vote signals the council’s intent to preserve in‑house IT leadership and to ask the administrator to rework department structure rather than immediately eliminating filled positions. Administration said it would provide a reorganization plan and any related personnel plans prior to final payroll or position actions.