PARIS – Rangeley bills Oxford County annually for services it provides to smaller towns in the region, but the value of those services is in question for 2004.

The Oxford County commissioners are fighting the inclusion of cemetery and parks and recreation fees in Rangeley’s most recent submission. At a meeting Nov. 16, the commissioners were quick to point to a 145 percent increase in the bill this year.

“Isn’t that a little stiff, sir?” Commissioner Fred Kennard asked Rangeley Town Manager Perry Ellsworth.

In 2003, Rangeley billed the county $13,374.

That included $4,938 for ambulance services, $6,936 for fire and rescue and $1,500 for sewage treatment.

This year, Rangeley submitted a bill for $32,695. That included $10, 814 for ambulance services, $9,591 for fire and rescue, $1,500 for sewage treatment, $9,611 for parks and recreation and $1,179 for cemeteries.

Ellsworth explained that Rangeley derived a formula based on local and state property valuation figures while calculating the county’s portion of service fees.

“You know, it sounds like a rip-off to me,” said commission Chairman Jim Carey. “At one time Rangeley tried to charge us for the fireworks on the Fourth of July there.”

Ellsworth was silent.

“Is that in there?” Kennard asked.

“Fireworks? It’s in the budget,” Ellsworth responded. He went on to say the Rangeley Board of Selectmen considered the bill an “all or nothing package.”

Kennard said the board should then consider it “nothing.” After more discussion, he suggested Ellsworth return to the Board of Selectmen and let the members know the county wasn’t interested in paying cemetery or parks and recreation fees.

Ellsworth agreed to discuss the matter with his board, and the commissioners said they also would take more time to think about the bill.

“I don’t think today is the day to make our decision,” Kennard said.

Administrative assistant Carole Mahoney said Friday that the county has never paid Rangeley for cemeteries or parks and recreation.