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Franklin County commissioners approve most FY2026 budgets; several votes split
Summary
The Franklin County Commissioners approved most FY2026 departmental budgets and county-wide funding April 1, 2025, including program grants and debt service; several items passed over Commissioner Tom Saviello’s objections and an amendment to add nonstandard pay for sheriff leadership failed.
The Franklin County Commissioners on April 1 approved the bulk of the county’s FY2026 budget, voting through department spending, program grants and county‑wide allocations after several contested motions.
The board voted to accept individual departmental budgets and county‑wide funding totaling previously proposed amounts, including program grants to local organizations. Several line items passed with split votes: the Emergency Management Agency and District Attorney budgets were each approved 4–1, with Commissioner Tom Saviello opposed. Commissioners unanimously approved the Superior Court, Registry of Deeds and Registry of Probate budgets.
Commissioners amended the Commissioner’s Office budget to add a $1,200 annual stipend for the chair to reflect extra duties; that amendment passed on a 3–1–1 vote with one commissioner abstaining. On the Sheriff’s Department budget, the board approved purchase of three vehicles (one from the reserve account and two from the operating budget). A separate amendment to add a 10% nonstandard stipend for the sheriff, a deputy chief, a lieutenant and two supervisors failed on a 2–3 vote, leaving the department’s base budget in place with vehicle funding included.
Audience member Nathan Hiltz urged clarification on how LD 1350 affects Budget Committee staggered terms. County Administrator Amy said she believed terms would be staggered but that the statute text did not clearly reflect that; Commissioner Tom Saviello was assigned to review the law and consult the county’s legislative delegation.
The board also approved a slate of community program grants and county‑wide items: Franklin County Extension Association ($69,885), Western Maine Community Action ($55,850), Seniors Plus ($40,000), Western Maine Transportation ($40,000) and others as presented. Debt service principal of $46,319 and interest of $3,689 were approved.
The meeting progressed through routine business — the Treasurer’s Report, minutes of March 18 and Administrator’s Report — before arriving at budget votes. The board recessed to an executive session under 1 M.R.S. §405(6)(A) for a personnel matter at 3:27 p.m.; the session ended at 3:46 p.m. with no action taken. The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
