Penobscot County Administrator Scott told commissioners on Aug. 25 that the county is facing an almost $3 million shortfall in the jail budget and that the gap must be addressed in the upcoming budget cycle to avoid large borrowing.

The shortage matters because the county’s current cash balances and recent state supplements no longer cover rising jail costs. If the commission does not act, Scott said the county could be forced to seek a tax and revenue anticipation note (TAN) or other borrowing, a step that could strain relations with lenders and increase costs.

At the workshop, the administrator said the funding gap began to grow in 2022 when supplemental state funding for jails changed and that temporary state injections in prior years masked structural shortfalls. "We've spent all of our fund balance and then some," Scott said, noting the county is on track for very low cash going into 2026. Commissioner Trumbull and Commissioner Marshall joined the discussion, pressing for immediate steps to stop the deficit’s growth.

Scott outlined a two-part approach: (1) stop the bleeding in the next budget by directing as much as possible toward the jail line (he cited a planning number of roughly $3 million as a starting point) and (2) begin conversations with municipal partners about longer-term solutions, including whether a fiscal-year shift or debt strategy could smooth cash flow. "We need to put as close to $3,000,000 into the budget towards the jail cap," Scott said.

Commissioners and staff compared options. Scott said switching the county to a fiscal year would advance cash flow but would not eliminate the structural deficit. He added that a new facility, when and if built, could produce operational efficiencies that reduce long-term costs but would require bond financing and additional municipal buy-in. Commissioners asked staff to prepare summary materials and to schedule a meeting with municipal partners. Scott said he would draft a letter and supporting charts for review and signaled the goal of having a plan to present by the commission’s second September meeting.

Public comment during the meeting reinforced the urgency. Janet Drew of York, who identified herself as a board member of the York County Jail board of visitors, urged commissioners to consider diversion programs and strengthened community supports rather than increasing detention capacity. "Don't build a bigger, worse culture," Drew said, referencing a prior culture study of Penobscot County's jail.

Discussion points remaining open included how much of the shortfall to book into the 2026 budget immediately and the pace at which the commission should press state leaders for more sustained jail funding. Scott said auditors would present finalized audits for 2021–2022 and that those audits will show the funding issue clearly. The commission agreed to present the situation to municipal leaders and to return to the topic at its next regular meeting.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to prepare a concise packet for municipalities and agreed to prioritize a budget solution in September, while recognizing that building a new facility or securing new state support will take longer and require coordination.