Lincoln County Commissioners adopted a resolution to secure bonds for the county during their Tuesday morning meeting Jan. 19.
The resolution, LD 1530, submitted to the commissioners’ board by Robert Howe of the Maine County Commissioners Association, designates the county as a “recovery zone.” It provides for Lincoln County to receive federal stimulus bonds.
“There is no downside to adopting this resolution,” Howe stated in a letter to the commissioners. “There is considerable upside, economically and politically.”
He requested all 16 counties take the steps necessary to adopt similar resolutions like the one submitted to the board. The resolution stipulates the county is eligible to receive the government bonds as a recovery zone based on significant levels of poverty, unemployment, home foreclosures or general distress.
The resolution authorizes staff and county officials to identify projects the bonds would cover. It also allows officials to recognize federal and state programs when and where available as defined by the parameters of a recovery zone.
The resolution makes clear officers will collaborate with other counties, the Finance Authority of Maine, the Maine Municipal Bond Bank and other state and local agencies during the bond process.
