Tired of increasing property taxes? Contact your legislator and urge them to support a sustainable funding model that adjusts annually based on inflation and mandated services: LD 2232, “ An Act to Increase County Jail Funding.”

Since 2021, the state of Maine has capped the amount counties can raise through property taxes for jail operations while freezing the County Jail Operations Fund at approximately $20.4 million — about 20% of cost at that time. Today the state contributes only 14-15% of jail operating costs, despite controlling nearly 80% of the incarceration process through laws and sentencing requirements.

Counties are now out of options. Washington, Penobscot and Waldo counties have exhausted reserve funds to cover jail deficits. Relying on one-time reserves for ongoing operations is not sustainable.

Meanwhile, costs continues to rise. Jails increasingly house individuals with complex medical and mental health needs. With state psychiatric beds often unavailable, jails have become the default mental health providers of last resort, leading to longer stays and higher costs. Mandates such as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and enhanced supervision further increase expenses.

Staffing challenges add to the strain. To maintain safety, counties must offer competitive wages, yet overtime costs are exceeding budgets across much of the state.

If legislators are serious about reducing the burden of property taxes, they must act.  Supporting LD 2232 is a critical step toward a fair and sustainable funding solution.

Contact your legislator and ask them to support LD 2232. Help bring relief to the property taxpayers and county budgets.

Robert Sezak
Somerset County Commissioner
Fairfield and Norridgewock