Cumberland County commissioners unanimously amend FY27 budget to set aside funds for jail treatment and capital

Cumberland County Commissioners on a special Zoom meeting unanimously approved an amendment to the county’s fiscal year 2027 budget to allocate anticipated one-time state jail funding.

The board approved a staff proposal that staff estimates will total roughly $740,000 for the county once the state formula is applied. The County Manager told commissioners, “Staff feels, and estimates that we will get somewhere in the $740,000 range.” Staff proposed placing $420,000 into a medically assisted treatment (MAT) reserve and putting the roughly $320,000 remainder into one-time capital needs at the jail.

The amended budget motion, read into the record by the County Manager, listed county expenditures and revenue adjustments and showed an amended overall tax-impact estimate. After the reading, the board took a roll-call vote and the amendment passed 5-0.

Why it matters: commissioners said using one-time funding for the MAT program and capital repairs reduces the risk of creating ongoing budget gaps. The County Manager cautioned that the final allocation depends on a state formula administered through MDOC and that the exact county share will be known only when the state provides the final number.

In addition to the state appropriation discussion, the County Manager reported on work to amend the federal U.S. Marshals contract to remove immigration-related provisions. He said consultants and the U.S. Marshals Service gave assurances the amended contract could be retained and that the county could book roughly $750,000 in marshal-related revenue into the budget if that arrangement holds. Commissioners said including that revenue in the budget would help lower the county tax burden.

Commissioners who spoke expressed general support for the staff recommendation but also noted uncertainty. “I am ashamed of the state,” Commissioner Gordon said, criticizing the legislature for failing to provide consistent, mandated funding for county jails. Commissioner Cloutier and Commissioner Katarina both said they supported the draft as proposed, with Cloutier emphasizing caution and placing a portion of the money into capital reserves given the one-time nature of the appropriation.

Commissioners asked for ballpark prices for the capital items staff proposed to fund. The County Manager supplied two estimates: a transport van priced at $84,000 (with $42,000 already included in the current budget year) and a camera server at about $40,000 to support what staff said are roughly 180 jail cameras. He said shower-basin replacements and a significant floor repair will require bids before the county can provide firm cost estimates.

After approving the amended budget, commissioners made and passed a second motion to memorialize the allocation: $420,000 to a MAT reserve and the remaining funds, once the final state number is known, into a one-time jail capital reserve. That motion also passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the FY27 budget amendment and the separate allocation motion by unanimous roll-call votes (5-0). The motions were moved by Commissioner Cloutier and seconded as noted in the record.

Next steps: staff will confirm the county’s final allocation when the state publishes the MDOC formula results and will return with final dollar amounts and procurement processes for capital work. With no public comment and no additional business, Chair Smith adjourned the meeting.