Finance Committee moves $206,409 prevention-services subcontract with Northern Light Mayo Hospital to council

The Bangor Finance Committee on Dec. 16 authorized the city manager to execute a subcontract with Northern Light Mayo Hospital for $206,409 to provide prevention services in Piscataquis County as part of the Maine Prevention Network.

Unidentified Staff (S2) explained the funding is part of the Fund for a Healthy Maine (tobacco settlement funds) and that the city had previously accepted and appropriated the award for fiscal year 2025. The staff described this subcontract as the second contract period (extending services from July 2024 to June 2025) following a prior contract that ran Jan. 2023–June 2024.

Jamie from Health Community Services outlined the regional structure: "There are 9 public health districts in the state of Maine ... Our service area now we are responsible for these 2 counties, Penobscot and Piscataquis County." When asked if the money was merely passing through to Northern Light Mayo, Jamie confirmed, "Oh, yes. That's exactly what happens," and staff added that the city serves as a pass-through making it administratively easier for the state to award one regional contract rather than many local ones.

Councilor Leonard noted the subcontract presents an opportunity to deepen relations with Piscataquis County and recommended future inclusion of neighboring counties in city-centric planning efforts. The committee voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to execute the subcontract and forward the item to the full council.

Ending: The subcontract will be placed on the council agenda for final authorization and staff said they will answer further questions at council as needed.