AUBURN — The Androscoggin County Commission held the third of three scheduled budget hearings Wednesday night. Next comes the hard part — making cuts to the $18.6 million proposal that is a 7.39% increase from last year.

That work begins next Wednesday.

During the past three weeks, commissioners have said little about where they expect to make cuts.

Commissioner Garrett Mason of Lisbon has suggested he will consider cutting funds to the nonprofit agencies that receive county funds annually. Instead of being funded by the county, Mason believes the money should be paid by the municipalities directly.

In their presentation Wednesday, the Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties Extension Association, located in Lisbon and works with 4-H and master gardeners throughout the two counties, were told by Mason that they should seek funding from the towns and cities with which it works.

“I don’t believe that programs like this belong in the county,” Mason said. “I believe the programs belong in the towns.”

Mason added that he supports the agency, just not how it is funded.

It was unclear if Mason spoke for the majority of the commissioners or not.

The board also heard Wednesday from Sheriff Eric Samson, who oversees six accounts, including the jail, communications and the civil division. The budget line covering 774 Center St., which is where the department plans to move, is proposed to increase from $34,900 to $133,700 due to $100,000 request for professional services to finalize the plans for the building.

Bids are already coming in to design the new facility. County Administrator Clarice Proctor said her office is reviewing the seven requests for offers the county has received. The requests will be scored, and the top three will be interviewed by county staff, she said.

Commissioner Roland Poirier of Lewiston expressed disappointment that the rental income for the homes on the Center Street lot is bringing in less income than he expected.

Samson said a property management firm is taking a percentage off the top to cover its expenses, such as mowing, plowing and repairs.

Funding for the Androscoggin County Jail remains the same as last year due to the Legislature flat- funding the county jails. For the second year in a row, the county also cannot raise taxes to cover the cost to operate the jail.

To cover normal increases in electricity, heat, food and wages, Samson said the department cut about half a million dollars from the budget. Some of the 10 open positions may not get filled, which will allow jail staff to purchase fewer uniforms. The overtime line was cut. The jail hopes to continue housing federal prisoners to bring in needed income.

Commissioner Brian Ames of Lewiston told his colleagues that he will propose giving Samson and Chief Deputy William Gagne a $5,000 raise apiece for their efforts to run the Sheriff’s Office. The raise would increase Samson’s salary to $100,000 and Gagne’s to $95,000, Ames said.  That increase would put both of them near the middle of the salary range for similar positions in the state.

Ames also said he will not vote for any funding for capital improvements to the county building. Commissioners are exploring whether to renovate the courthouse or move to a new facility.

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