Animal control, emergency dispatch and tax assessing are some areas where the county and local communities could join forces, according to county officials.

Leaders from Androscoggin County and area cities and towns are scheduled to meet this week to talk about ways to combine services and save money.

County Commission Chairman Elmer Berry said consolidating government services is a favorite topic of Gov. John Baldacci.

“He’s said before that Androscoggin County is a leader in that respect, statewide,” Berry said. “We’re trying to live up to that, so we invited all the towns in to talk about what we can and cannot do.”

The meeting is scheduled to begin at noon Thursday, Oct. 23, in the County Building in Auburn and will include lunch and a tour of the building and county jail.

“We just want to show them what we’re all about, then we can sit for a discussion,” Berry said. “Hopefully, this will lead into fuller, more positive discussions later on.”

Countywide animal control and emergency dispatch have been considered before, Berry said. Most cities have their property value assessment staff and that could be replaced by a countywide system.

“Education has been a big discussion item among the counties,” Berry said. “There are a number of superintendents across the county, and there has been discussion about whether one person could do the job for the whole county.”

It’s all just talk at this point, however.

“I’m sure some of what we’d want to do would require a change in legislation,” Berry said. “The state might have to approve making any changes. But we’ll have to start the discussions somewhere.”

Berry said representatives from Lewiston, Auburn, Greene and Mechanic Falls have all agreed to attend the meeting.

staylor@sunjournal.com

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