Survey — BudgetData.net

BudgetData.net is an independent, non-partisan tool. The creator has no control over how the budget process works or what the budget numbers are. This is a tool to help you understand, navigate, and participate in the budget process.

Question 1 of 9

What's your connection to Lewiston?

Pick all that apply.

I'm a resident I own property here I have kids in Lewiston schools I own or work at a business in Lewiston I work for the city or school department I'm a journalist or community advocate Other / just interested

Question 2 of 9

When you think about Lewiston's budget, what do you most want to understand?

Pick all that apply.

How my property tax bill is calculated Where school spending actually goes What each city department spends How the budget has changed year to year How much state aid Lewiston gets and why How revaluation affects my tax bill How Lewiston compares to other Maine cities Staffing levels and salary ranges

Question 3 of 9

How would you prefer information to be presented?

Mostly charts and visuals — I want the picture Plain-English summaries — just tell me what it means Tables and numbers — I want to look things up myself A mix — summaries up top, detail underneath I mainly want to download the raw data

Question 4 of 9

How comfortable are you reading budget documents on your own?

Not at all — they're confusing I can manage but it takes effort Pretty comfortable Very comfortable — I read them regularly

Question 5 of 9

What did the old BudgetData.net do well?

Optional — skip if you never used it.

Question 6 of 9

What was missing or frustrating?

Optional.

Question 7 of 9

Is there a specific question you've wanted answered about Lewiston's budget but couldn't find?

Optional — the more specific the better.

Question 8 of 9

Which of these tools would you actually use?

Pick all that apply.

Property tax calculator — enter your assessed value, see your estimated bill Tax impact estimator — see how a budget change would affect your specific bill Budget simulator — adjust spending levels and see the effect on the tax rate Spending breakdown — interactive charts showing where every dollar goes Year-over-year comparison — see how any line item has changed over time City comparison — benchmark Lewiston's spending against similar Maine municipalities Plain-English explainers — short guides that explain what budget terms actually mean Raw data downloads — just give me the spreadsheets Budget alerts — notify me when a new budget or amendment is published

Question 9 of 9

Want us to stay in touch?

Optional. Both lists are low-volume — you can choose one or both.

Notify me when the new site launches Subscribe me to occasional budget updates