Auburn should take over property assessing duties for both cities, according to a recommendation given to the joint services commission Thursday.

It’s too soon to include Androscoggin County or other neighboring communities in the service, according to Kay Rand, consultant for the Citizens Commission on Lewiston-Auburn Cooperation.

“The county is not in the position to take over that function now, and it’s not as easy a fit,” Rand said Friday. “Over time, it could be a possibility, but it would not create any savings or economies for the next several years. If this idea is going to move forward, the county should be the second phase.”

In her recommendation, Rand suggests the department should be housed in Auburn, with Lewiston Assessor Joe Grube acting as chief assessor and Auburn Assessor Cheryl Dubois becoming his deputy. Grube would maintain responsibility of Lewiston’s tax commitment and budget issues and Dubois would maintain responsibility for Auburn’s.

Rand said her solution wouldn’t create another tier of government.

“In the past, other L-A collaborations have created new oversight groups,” she said. The Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport has its own board, for example. It’s mostly free of oversight by either city council.

“This would create less government, not more,” she said. “Councilors would still have oversight.”

Other staff would be combined, with a total of 10.5 employees. That would be reduced by one full-time position over time. Lewiston employees would continue to draw their Lewiston salaries until they quit or retire. They would be replaced with Auburn employees at that point.

“It would require an agreement from the union, at least on the Lewiston side,” she said.

Rand said members of the commission wanted more information about her plan. They will take it up again at their next meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 in Auburn Hall.

“It’s just my recommendation at this point,” she said. “They haven’t supported it or embraced it, and it won’t go to the city councils until they do.”

Councilors kicked off the matter this spring, directing Rand and the joint services group to study assessing departments and if the job could be given to the county.