The race for Biddeford’s Ward Four city council seat is rooted in some political upheaval that transpired roughly 18 months ago.
Incumbent Dylan Doughty won a special June 11, 2024 election to fill the vacancy created by the sudden resignation of former councilor Bobby Mills.
Today, Mills is hoping to reclaim his seat on the city council.
Mills told this reporter last year that he resigned on April 9, 2024 because of “personal reasons” and other commitments were consuming his time.
Mills also resigned his position as York County Treasurer on the same day. Eight days later, on April 17, Mills told me he was “eager” to seek the seat he had resigned.
Doughty, a former planning board member, was unopposed in that special election and is now hoping to keep his seat.
Doughty, 34, said rising property taxes are one of his biggest concerns, pointing out that increased property taxes also impact tenants because landlords typically pass on those increased costs to their renters.
“As property values increase, and the cost to deliver city services is impacted by inflation, families have been faced with much higher tax bills the last several years,” Doughty said. “We have to do a better job of balancing our city needs and priorities with potential property tax increases.
“It is critical that we reevaluate our approach to the city budget with that in mind,” Doughty said.
Mills, 60, also listed rising property taxes as a top concern. “Taxes are out of control,” he said.
Mills also said he is concerned about “failing infrastructure” throughout the city, particularly in the downtown area, where an ongoing sewer separation project is impacting both traffic and small downtown businesses.
Like many other council candidates, both Doughty and Mills say housing issues are among the biggest challenges facing the city.
“We have to reduce barriers and look strategically at what the city can do to incentivize housing of all kinds to be built,” Doughty said. “We’ve done a pretty good job on council working with developers to approve many affordable housing developments, but I think we need to direct our focus now to additional housing types such as – starter homes, town houses, and other types to address the “missing middle” in housing.”
Mills was succinct in his assessment about the city’s housing challenges.
“Affordable housing doesn’t exist for anyone,” he wrote on the candidate survey that was sent to him by the Biddeford Gazette.
Doughty said the city council needs to rebuild and strengthen its “public trust” with the greater community.
“It’s no secret that there have been a number of issues over the last few years that have greatly diminished the public’s trust in city government,” Doughty said. “Like most people, I don’t want to lay awake at night worrying about whether things are being mismanaged in our city.”
“We need councilors who will ask tough questions, work hard to find solutions to these issues, and keep the public informed along the way,” Doughty added. “The council has a duty to be the voice for the people who elect us.”
When asked why he’s seeking re-election, Doughty – a native of Arkansas — said he loves Biddeford, but is concerned that the city is “getting way too unaffordable for residents.”
“The upcoming term will be incredibly difficult, with complex issues facing the city.” Doughty said. “There are national, state and local pressures that will impact Biddeford, and we deserve a city council that is focused on what needs to be done for the best interests of the community.”
Mills — a native of Texas — said he is again running for council in order to meet “the needs of our city first and ensure that our citizens are treated fairly.”
“We deserve a leader who will stand up to special interests and make decisions that benefit our community as a whole,” Mills added.
“Road construction that has disrupted our city is an example of what happens when we prioritize developer interests over our community needs,” Mills said. “I’m committed to putting an end to these sweetheart deals and finding solutions that work for all of us.
“With my experience and proven track record of challenging the status quo, I’m confident that we can create a better future for our community and achieve zero tax increases. We’ve done it before and with the support of my fellow councilors, we can do it again.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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