County panel seeks budget cuts

PARIS — The Oxford County commissioners have recommended reducing the requests of several county budgets to lower a proposed increase in taxes.

County departments have asked for a total of $5,894,851, with capped expenditures to the Oxford County Jail amounting to an additional $1,228,757. The department requests also projected a total revenue of $2,244,867, leaving $4,898,241 to be raised by taxation. The amount would be an 8.75 percent increase over last year's taxation amount.

Commissioners have suggested reducing expenditures by $248,832, and also project $41,079 less in revenue. The net $207,753 reduction to the budget would lower the amount to be raised by taxation to $4,690,488, an increase of 4.13 percent over last year.

One recommendation reduces the capital expenditures for new cruisers for the Oxford County Sheriff's Office from $120,000 to $96,000. Sheriff Wayne Gallant said that cuts to the cruiser budget in prior years have made it necessary to purchase five to seven vehicles. He said the amount could be reduced if a lease program becomes available.

Commissioners also ask that the Western Maine Economic Development Council not receive $115,000, which the organization is requesting to assist with operational costs. The Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District is asking for $10,000 to go toward the maintenance of two dams on Colton and McDonough brooks in Stow. Commissioners have asked that the request not be granted.

Other recommendations include halving a $50,000 allocation to the capital reserve for the Oxford County Regional Airport in Oxford; reducing fuel expenses for the county courthouse from $50,000 to $40,000; and a $5,000 reduction to the Oxford County Extension Association's proposed $106,892.26 budget.

A budget committee of elected officials from county towns will finalize the budget, and commissioners will enact it in December.

mlangeveld@sunjournal.com