The Lincoln County Commissioners approved the county’s 2012 budget at its final meeting of the year Dec. 27. The final budget will see a roughly $563,000, or 5.3 percent, decrease in expenditures from the previous year.
County Administrator John O’Connell said the savings would translate in a reduced tax burden for all county towns.
The difference comes largely from a reduction in the county’s financial commitment to Two Bridges Regional Jail.
The new budget reflects a revised cost-sharing formula between Lincoln and Sagadahoc County that sees jail funding split evenly. The cost division translated into a $363,000, or 13 percent, reduction in Lincoln County’s funding requirement to the jail.
Savings at the jail more than offset the roughly $105,000 increase at the Recycling Dept., 9-1-1 Communication Center, and in employee benefits. The Sheriff’s Office and the Registry of Probate also saw minor increases.
With revenues included, the final tax commitment to county residents will be an estimated $530,000 less than last year.
In other business, the Commissioners renewed the county’s contract with the Addiction Resource Center and Volunteers of America. The contract with the ARC will be slightly more than last year, up to $32,000 from $28,000.
Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett said the increase came largely from increases in fringe benefits.
The Commissioners also voted to allocate $7840 to purchase steel decking for ongoing repair work on the Hibberts Gore Bridge.
