Penobscot County commissioners opened a public hearing on the proposed 2026 county budget and said the budget under consideration has been reduced by slightly over $1,000,000 from published figures.

Chair (speaker 1) told the commission the budget committee recommended omitting certain projected Hilltop payment-in-lieu-of-taxes revenue and adding $25,000 for a project; the result is a net reduction “slightly over 1,000,000,” the chair said. Finance director Brenda said she could review changes and provide a revised budget as early as the following day.

The hearing included several public comments focused on the county jail. Bill Collins, a town board member, urged the commissioners to press for state relief, saying the jail is the primary driver of the county shortfall. “The shortfall is in jail…The law reads that the state of Maine will pay to reduce the product to the property tax pay, the burden,” Collins said, urging commissioners to take the issue to Augusta.

Chair noted the county is working with the Maine County Commissioners Association and reported a bill before the Appropriations Committee proposing a $87,000,000 revenue bond distributed to 14 jails and two holding facilities to cover upgrades and treatment costs; the bill will be carried over for further consideration. Commissioners said they will continue to advocate to the Legislature while staff finalize budget line items.

The commission emphasized fiscal-policy changes, including clearer fund-balance targets, to reduce future exposure. Brenda will prepare a revised budget reflecting workshop adjustments for the commission to review before a final vote; the chair said substantial revisions would require an additional public hearing.

The commission did not take final budget action at the meeting; the body scheduled publication of the revised numbers so the public can review them before the next vote.