AUBURN – Raising $800 to meet a required 25 percent local match for a state grant seemed easier said than done by the County Commission Wednesday.

While a funding source for the match to purchase seven laptop computers for sheriff’s cruisers remained vague, the commission voted unanimously to make the purchase and to call the Budget Committee to meet, if necessary, to find a source.

Chief Deputy Guy Desjardins explained after the meeting that the primary purpose for the laptops would be to write accident reports.

It is part of a joint purchase between the county and the town of Poland for a total of nine laptops. The two Poland is purchasing will be installed in the two sheriff’s cruisers used to patrol Poland. The town has a contract with the county for law enforcement.

County Treasurer Robert Poulin said that even though there would be no cost to the county with the three-quarters covered by the Maine Department of Public Safety grant, the county would be taking in revenue by receiving the grant. Therefore, the money would have to come out of some existing account.

Sheriff’s Capt. Raymond Lafrance said there is a possibility that drug forfeiture money could be used to fund the 25 percent match.

“We can buy five of the seven right now. Six if we can use the drug forfeiture money,” he said.

“It is so absurd that we’re so strapped that we don’t even have money for a grant match when something comes up. It’s like we have no power to help the county save money. It’s ridiculous,” said Commissioner Patience Johnson.

“I agree with Commissioner Johnson. If there’s a way we can do it, it’s in the taxpayer’s benefit. We’re in the modern world. We’re not sending up smoke signals,” said Commission Chairman Elmer Berry.

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