AUBURN – County Commission Chairman Elmer Berry called for rejection of the $9.28 million county budget minutes after the Budget Committee approved it Thursday night.

After a public hearing and the adoption of the budget, Berry said he would ask for a special commission meeting next week. He said he wants the budget to be rejected because he thinks there is inadequate funding for rural law enforcement, and he questioned the legality of the budget process.

The final budget was crafted with departmental expenditures set at $9,284,669, an increase of $11,142 over 2004. Revenues, at $2,655,717, are down 4.14 percent from last year. A total of $6,628,952 must be raised by taxation.

A 1.94 percent tax hike would be necessary. Several Budget Committee members had called for no tax increase.

A request by Berry for the addition of $42,610 for the Sheriff’s Department was denied. The money would include funding to retain reserve patrol shifts at the level of two per week, keep the dive team in place, allow overtime so an adequate level of service could be maintained when deputies are out sick, and retain traffic enforcement details.

Berry presented a letter signed by all three commissioners, requesting the inclusion of the $42,610 for the Sheriff’s Department and questioning the legality of the use of unencumbered surplus funds from the previous year. Berry said the use of those funds could create a devastating effect in 2006.

Several people representing rural towns that depend on sheriff’s patrols wanted to be heard. Several asked to speak after the vote on the budget.

Livermore Falls Administrator Kurt Schaub told the committee that his town is not willing to accept less when it comes to police protection.

Earlier in the day, Schaub said, “If they’re going to start tinkering with (Sheriff’s Department) policy, that’s a discussion that belongs with the County Commission, not the Budget Committee.”

Poland resident Art Dunlap suggested changing the selection process for Budget Committee members to allow for representation for every town.

Budget Committee Chairman Paul Labrecque of Lewiston said this has been the most difficult of the 19 years he has served on the committee.