AUBURN — The next time local police arrest a minor after hours, the police department — not the Androscoggin County Jail — will be responsible for driving the person to one of Maine’s two juvenile facilities.

They are located in South Portland and Charleston, outside of Bangor.

The move, meant to save up to $2,000 over the next three months, is part of a cost-cutting effort begun Monday by Sheriff Guy Desjardins. He has also put a hold on all maintenance spending inside the jail. His only exception is for emergencies that affect “safety and security.”

Even relatively inexpensive chores, such as painting, will be put off until after July 1, when the new fiscal year begins.

“We’re looking at everything possible that we can save for this quarter,” Desjardins said.

The reason is a $1 million shortfall in state funding to county jails.

Last week, Maine Board of Corrections Chairman Mark Westrum warned counties that fourth-quarter payments — totaling $2 million — might never be distributed.

And Westrum said the jails would likely be “flat-funded” for the next year.

In Androscoggin County, the fourth-quarter payment would total about $184,000. Loss of that money from the budget would be “devastating,” Desjardins said.

The sheriff, Jail Administrator John Lebel and County Treasurer Robert Poulin plan to examine purchases and run projections for the fourth quarter, which covers April, May and June.

They also plan to look at various levels of state funding — from receipt of the full $184,000, to half-funding, to nothing at all.

“Without that, we’re in the hole, big-time,” Desjardins said.

Layoffs could not be ruled out, he said.

“We may be able to save $40,000 or $50,000, at best, without layoffs,” he said.

No decisions have been made yet. County commissioners plan to discuss the budget with Desjardins on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the sheriff is looking for money where he can.

On March 28, he sent a letter to local police chiefs, informing them of the change in the juvenile transportation policy.

Last year, the county transported 15 newly arrested minors to the South Portland and Charleston facilities during the same three months. Until an arrested person has appeared before a judge, the jail has no legal responsibility to transport that person.

By only transporting juveniles who arrive at the jail on weekdays between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., the jail would not be forced to pay overtime wages.

Instead, that expense would go to the towns.

Mechanic Falls police Chief Jeffrey Goss said the situation could be “huge” if they have lots of juvenile arrests. His small police force has no extra people for transportation.

“I would either have to call someone in on overtime or leave us short,” Goss said.

Sabattus police Chief Anthony Ward said he, too, hopes the effect will be minimal. The town has few juvenile arrests.

Phone calls Monday to chiefs in Lewiston and Auburn were unanswered.

Desjardins said he regrets the cuts. He worries for the whole jail network if funding continues to be lean.

“I don’t really believe (the Maine Legislature) cares,” he said. “I don’t believe Appropriations cares. I don’t believe Public Safety cares. They feel that there is enough money out there, enough areas that we can save, that we can keep the entire system going. And there isn’t.”

dhartill@sunjournal.com

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