AUGUSTA – Lewiston and Auburn are the recipients of the largest award announced Wednesday as part of a project to explore the consolidation of city services.

Gov. John Baldacci announced that grants totaling $500,000 have been awarded to 14 municipal, county and regional governmental organizations that applied for funding through the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Local and Regional Services.

This fund was implemented as part of the 2005 Property Tax Reduction Law to encourage and support intergovernmental cooperation as a means of reducing property taxes.

The largest award of $152,916 was given to a Twin Cities proposal to consolidate municipal administrative services and explore consolidation of other city operations.

“In Maine, we want to maintain vital community services and be fiscally responsible,” said Baldacci. “Joint efforts among towns, cities and counties demonstrate that Maine is a creative, frugal, and cooperative state.”

Franklin County Regional Public Safety Communications was awarded $5,500 in grant money to explore the creation of a consolidated county emergency management office, joint operations center, and joint county and local law enforcement offices, according to the announcement.

Types of projects funded include:

• Municipal service consolidation

• Regional emergency dispatch

• Shared property assessment

• Joint purchasing implementation

• Regionalized economic development planning

• Study on police consolidation

• Collaborations on storm water management and education

• Regional recycling and waste management projects

The 14 funded projects will be undertaken by more than 70 municipalities, counties and regional government organizations across the state.

“Regionalization efforts are being undertaken throughout the state and this grant program is a wonderful way to support these efforts,” said State Planning Office Director Martha Freeman. “By working together, all levels of government are able to provide more efficient and effective services to the citizens of Maine.”

This is the second round of grants from the fund; $1 million was awarded to 26 projects involving cooperation among 121 governmental units in 2005.

The grant program is administered by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services with assistance from the State Planning Office. For more information, visit http://www.maine.gov/dafs/fund.htm.