FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to set the tax rate at nearly $1.39 per $1,000 of property valuation, which is lower than the current rate of $1.40.

The rate for the current 2024-25 fiscal year is 22 cents less than the previous year.

The total tax assessments to be split among the towns is nearly $10.2 million. Of that, nearly $7.2 million is for county government, nearly $3 million is for the jail and $35,000 is included for overlay.

The tax bills will be sent to the towns, which will develop tax rates factoring in data, including county, school and municipal assessments later this year.

Commissioners also approved the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office request to apply for an Office of Community Oriented Policing Services grant for a school resource officer for Maine School Administration District 58 based in Phillips.

Sgt. Ryan Close was approved to apply for a resource officer last year, but missed one deadline he didn’t know about. Commissioners approved him applying again.

If the grant is awarded, the school resource officer must attend training.

The office “is committed to ensuring student success in supportive, safe environments by providing a variety of resources, technical assistance, and training,” according to information from the sheriff’s office and U.S. Department of Justice.

Close said he didn’t know what the breakdown in funding will be because he doesn’t know what will be approved.

Deputies visit the four schools to talk with students in MSAD 58, including Mt. Abram High School in Salem Township and Day Mountain Regional Middle School in Strong.

If the grant is approved but the school system is dissolved, there will be a way for the county to pull out of the agreement. Strong and Phillips residents have voted to take the next step to withdraw from the district. The Kingfield Select Board was to make a decision Monday whether to set up a public hearing on a proposed vote for residents to consider starting the withdrawal process. Avon residents have also collected enough signatures to present to their Select Board. The board planned to set a date for a public hearing Tuesday.