FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners are seeking an explanation from an area nonprofit for how the group will use county money budgeted for its organization before handing over the money.

At a meeting Tuesday, the commission voted unanimously to send a letter to Western Maine Community Action, a Wilton-based nonprofit that specializes in helping low- and middle-income families with housing and utilities. The letter asks the group to explain how it will use $6,250, the first quarterly payment for the fiscal year.

The move comes amid debate over funding for nonprofit social services, which District 1 Commissioner Terry Brann and District 2 Commissioner Charlie Webster have said they envision completely eliminating by 2019-2020.

During budget discussions last spring, Webster also threatened to withhold funding for nonprofits if the county budget committee followed through with an additional $20,000 commissioners did not support. He said Tuesday that he would like to see Western Maine Community Action come to commissioners to tell them what the payments will be used for before the money is given.

The protocol is similar to how the county handles requests for Tax Increment Finance funds, though Webster said other social services groups the county funds will not have to make justifications.

“Western Maine Community Action gets lots of money from the state and federal government,” Webster said. “That was their argument — that they needed this money for leverage (in applying for grants). We want to know how they are spending it.”

Bill Crandall, program manager at Western Maine Community Action, said he understands the request, though it is not always possible to know where the money is going during budget discussions.

He said the group is hoping now to use the first payment as leverage to apply for a $750,000 grant that would provide support for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which assists residents with home heating and weatherization.

While it is true the organization does get state, federal and grant funding, Crandall said, there are often stipulations on how the money can be used.

The commission Tuesday also approved $6,680 to replace the clock faces at the Franklin County Superior Court. The cost is in addition to the $29,200 renovation underway in the building.

In other matters, Carrabassett Valley Fire Chief Courtney Knapp was named to the county Dispatch Advisory Committee.

The commission also heard from Raymond Plog of Madrid Township, whose backyard has been affected by erosion along the Sandy River.

The county has scheduled a site visit for Sept. 5 to assess the problem.

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