AUBURN – County commissioners discussed holding a workshop on the feasibility of establishing a county charter commission this year but did not set a date.

Commission Chairman Elmer Berry said Friday that the process should begin immediately so the 2005 budget could reflect changes wrought by a charter.

A charter could require that a county administrator be hired. Commissioners have discussed that issue in the past.

A charter would establish home rule with structural changes in county government. Some offices currently elected could be appointed under home rule, including treasurer and register of deeds.

A charter commission would draft a charter to be presented to the voters for approval.

Androscoggin County voters rejected a charter in 1991 after an 18-month study by a charter commission.

Berry proposed a charter commission in response to pending legislation that would encourage counties to adopt charters. It would change current language in a state statute to remove limits on charter powers and allow for home rule.

Touted as an act to promote cooperation, savings and efficiencies between governments, the concept draft of the bill crafted by the Joint Select Committee on Regionalization and Community Cooperation, would:

• Create multiple-town tax districts and encourage joint assessing and tax collecting. Counties could function as tax districts.

• Increase the real estate transfer tax from $2.20 to $3 per $1,000 of value. On a property selling for $100,000, the increase would be $80. The additional revenue would be deposited into a fund to provide grants for regional efforts.

• Towns that don’t have police departments could qualify for funding from the state highway fund to contract with counties for police services.

• Constitutional requirements that county judges, sheriffs and registrars of probate be elected would not change.

The legislation would establish an intergovernmental advisory group to study ways to reduce duplication of services between different levels of government to ease expenses and improve efficiency. State resources would be provided for guidance and incentives to regionalize. The advisory group would consist of three members of the governor’s cabinet, one member of the Legislature from each party, three county officials, two representatives of regional planning agencies, three municipal officials, and two representatives from school districts.

A public hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 23, in the Cross State Office Building in Augusta.