PARIS — County departments have done well in controlling costs, County Commission Chairman Steven Merrill said at a public hearing Tuesday, but revenues are down.

Oxford County's estimated tax levy for 2013 will be $5.58 million, up about $286,000 from 2012. Total expenditures are up $226,000, from $5.73 million to $5.95 million.

Non-tax revenues have fallen $119,000, from $1.75 million to $1.63 million.

Department heads and Budget Committee members attended a hearing Tuesday on the proposed 2013 county budget.

Several departments, including the Registry of Probate and the Emergency Management Agency, requested budgets smaller than last year's. The Sheriff's Office and employee benefits lines both increased more than 11 percent, largely due to collective bargaining agreements. The Sheriff's Office also requested more for uniforms, radios and other equipment.

Requests for contributions to county organizations stayed identical to 2012. The largest totals are $109,364 to the Oxford County Extension Association, which runs programs for seniors and students in the county, and $112,000 for the Western Maine Economic Development Council, which works to bring more jobs to the county.

The Budget Committee, set to meet Nov. 13, is comprised of Robert Heard of Porter, Russell Newcomb of Norway, Richard Hunt of Waterford, Bradford Adley of Rumford, Lee Holman of Hartford, Les Flanders of Lincoln Plantation, Dennis Henderson of West Paris, Rick Micklon of Otisfield and Floyd Thayer of Oxford.

County commissioners will meet Wednesday morning for the initial review of the proposed budget.

treaves@sunjournal.com