Lewiston officials are considering adding a community health manager position to focus on issues such as substance use, housing and homelessness, but are concerned with finding the money to pay for it.

Councilor Tim Gallant, who requested that the City Council hold a discussion on the issue last month, said Monday that for a city of Lewiston’s size, a community health staffer is “a needed position that’s been overlooked for years.”

Gallant said that during the council’s recent prolonged debate over how to regulate syringe service providers, it was often pointed out that no one on the council was an expert in public health.

“There’s a large need to have an individual in this city who can answer things (about public health),” he said. “It’s a key position in my mind when it comes to health and safety in the community.”

Councilor Josh Nagine agreed last month, stating, “Sometimes we stick our toes into something that a municipality shouldn’t be dealing with,” and that a dedicated position that could advise officials is “an important thing.”

City committees dealing with public health and homelessness have called on Lewiston to add such a position to assist with local responses and strategic planning around issues such as homelessness, opioid use, housing, food insecurity and more. They have pointed to cities such as Bangor and Portland that have dedicated city health departments.

While a majority of the council has appeared in favor of adding the position, many have also questioned the cost.

Councilor David Chittim said that while a public health position has been requested for some time, the downside is adding roughly $100,000 to the budget at a time when budget decisions are more difficult than ever.

He said he’s “in favor of pursuing,” but doesn’t know yet where he’ll stand once the job description and potential cost are nailed down.

Reached Monday, Mayor Carl Sheline said he also agrees the position is needed, but that the upcoming budget cycle will be “extremely tight.”

“My goal last year was to get through budget sessions without any layoffs and we succeeded,” he said. “This year it will be even more difficult to do that, especially if we start adding positions.”

Officials have debated the option of adding the position as soon as possible, at a potential cost of $50,000 at this point in the budget cycle. According to a council memo, it would be an estimated $106,266 for a full year salary and benefits.

City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath said that since the council has consensus support for the position, staff would do more research on a job description and salary and come back to the council at a future meeting.

“It may take six months to find the right person, so we might as well start sooner than later,” he said.

Nagine urged officials to speak with Auburn staff about Auburn’s public health manager position, its cost and how the position is utilized.

During public comment, two residents spoke in favor of the position.

However, resident Matt Roy said it’s become commonplace for the council to add items or positions to the budget outside budget season.

“That is not responsible financial stewardship of the taxpayers’ money,” he said.

Resident Matt Agren said that while he supported the position, the council doesn’t “need to fund it immediately.”