Penobscot County leaders unanimously approved a budget of $35.3 million for the year 2026 during their final meeting of the year on December 20, 2023. The budget marks an increase from the $34.5 million allocated for 2025 and reflects heightened scrutiny amid budgetary challenges, particularly concerning the county jail.
The approval came from the three county commissioners: Andre Cushing, Dave Marshall, and Dan Tremble. The budget process this year proved to be more contentious than in previous years due to a significant $3.5 million shortfall that emerged in the county jail budget. Previously, the county had relied on undesignated funds to cover jail expenses, leading to a $7 million crisis that necessitated immediate attention.
In November, the commissioners initially proposed a budget of $36.1 million. However, the 15-member budget advisory committee recommended a revised budget of $35.1 million without detailing specific departmental budgets. To align with this recommendation, the commissioners made cuts totaling approximately $850,000 in expenditures and identified an additional $150,000 in revenue, thereby reducing the amount needed from property taxes by nearly $1 million.
Budget Adjustments and Tax Implications
Prior to the final vote, commissioners made last-minute adjustments to the budget. These included an increase of $50,000 for building improvements, $20,000 added to the commissioners’ fund for a transitional period under interim County Administrator Gary Lamb, and an additional $5,000 for the finance department. Moreover, the budget accounted for an increase of $127,800 in revenue from taxes collected in previous years.
As a result of these changes, the overall budget surged by nearly $4 million, reflecting a 15.6% increase from the previous year. This adjustment raises the amount to be collected through property taxes from county residents by the same percentage. According to County Treasurer Glenn Mower, this will add 21 cents per $1,000 of property value to the Bangor tax rate. Consequently, if there are no other changes to the tax rate, residents can expect a Bangor tax rate of $17.91 per $1,000 of property value, translating to $3,582 in taxes for a property valued at $200,000.
Despite the substantial increase, all three commissioners emphasized that the growing budget was not due to excessive spending across county departments. “It’s a big increase,” noted Tremble, “but the facts are, if you look at the county department by department, there aren’t any huge increases in the budget this year.” He highlighted that the primary reason for the increase was the need to address the escalating deficit in the jail budget.
Future Considerations for the Jail Budget
The commissioners discussed the necessity for a new jail and increased state funding to resolve the ongoing budgetary shortfalls. Marshall indicated that plans for a public vote on a bond for a new jail could take place in June. A new facility could potentially alleviate the jail budget by reducing the number of inmates who need to be boarded out, but Tremble cautioned that constructing a new facility alone would not resolve the budget issues.
“The problem is not going to be solved until the state steps up and funds the jails the way that it’s supposed to be funding,” Tremble stated. He reiterated the urgent need for a new facility, underscoring that the financial challenges facing the jail system require a comprehensive solution beyond infrastructure improvements.
As the county moves forward with its budget for 2026, the focus will remain on sustainable funding solutions for the jail and the broader implications for residents. The decisions made today will undoubtedly shape the financial landscape of Penobscot County in the years to come.