AUBURN — The Androscoggin County Commission plans to begin the new year by developing a strategic plan for the county.

Outgoing Commissioner Edouard Plourde of Lewiston encouraged his colleagues at Wednesday’s meeting to develop a plan looking to the future.

The roadmap would enable commissioners to set goals, which could be adjusted depending on finances or other factors.

“I think this will be beneficial,” Plourde said.

Plourde described the idea as a multifaceted program involving every department in county government. Developing a strategic plan would require workshops, led by a professional facilitator to help focus the discussion and aid in setting goals.

He estimated the county would need to set aside $50,000 to $70,000 to pay for a facilitator.

County Administrator Jeffrey Chute said the county should begin the process in January.

In other business, auditor Ron Smith provided his report on the county’s financial health.

His company, HR Smith & Company of Buxton, does audits for 13 of Maine’s 16 counties.

The county side of the budget is healthy, but the jail finances have a $400,000 deficit.

That’s more than the $300,000 shortfall that commissioners added to next year’s budget

“You are in a similar situation as many of the other counties,” Smith said.

The underfunding of the jails by the state has led to what could become a financial crisis. He called the current situation “not sustainable.”

The state and the Department of Corrections have flat-funded the county jails for the past four years.

The counties have until June 30 — the end of the jail’s fiscal year — to address the cash flow problem. If the state does not come through with financial assistance, counties will have to dip into their dwindling fund balances to cover the deficit.

Commissioners also heard a request from Poland Town Manager Matt Garside for any remaining pandemic relief funds to help pay for renovations and expansion of the A.B. Ricker Memorial Library.

The project includes expanding the children’s area in the basement, replacing a 20-year-old lift with an elevator and adding a bathroom in the basement. Garside said the town has already raised more than $1 million for the $1.2 million project.

Commissioners appeared receptive to the project and will make a decision at their Dec. 18 meeting. All American Rescue Plan Act funds must be obligated by the end of the year. Any leftover money must be returned to the federal government.