By Ryan Michaels | The Maine Mirror

Welcome to Episode 008 of the Maine Mirror Deep Dive.

Belgrade’s 2025 audit sparked important conversations about reserve funds, property taxes, and the town’s financial future. But what do the official public records actually say?

In this episode, we step away from opinion and walk directly through the evidence. Using the independent auditor’s presentation, public agenda materials, the certified citizen petition, and the town’s legal review, this Deep Dive explains the documents in plain English so viewers can better understand the issues for themselves.

In this episode, we explore:

• What a “clean” audit opinion actually means.
• The difference between approximately $8.1 million in governmental funds and the town’s $2.995 million unassigned fund balance.
• How Belgrade’s reserve levels have changed over the past five years.
• Why the town sought an outside legal opinion before acting on the citizen petition.
• What the official records establish—and what questions remain moving forward.

At The Maine Mirror, our goal isn’t to tell you what to think. It’s to help you understand the public records, connect the dots, and make informed decisions based on documented facts.

If you value transparency, accountability, and evidence-based local journalism, consider subscribing to The Maine Mirror and following along as we continue examining the records that shape communities across Maine.

The Maine Mirror
Where truth comes into view.