Sagadahoc commissioners hear residents’ objections to near‑10% levy increase in FY27 budget

Sagadahoc County commissioners opened a public hearing May 7 on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget that would raise a roughly $14.2 million tax levy on about $15.3 million in expenditures, a levy increase the board described as roughly 9.84 percent. Chair (speaker 3) said public-safety costs — the sheriff's office, district attorney, emergency communications and payments to Two Bridges regional jail — account for about 60 percent of the county budget and that a 25 percent increase in employee health costs (about $700,000) is the largest driver of this year’s higher costs.

The proposal and the hearing drew sharp comments from residents and municipal officials who said repeated nearly‑10 percent levy increases are unsustainable for homeowners and people on fixed incomes. "We can't afford it," said Susan Anderson of Westaff (speaker 1), who told commissioners the community and fixed‑income residents face a heavy burden. Nicholas Hamlin of West Bath (speaker 6), a disabled veteran, urged commissioners to build on the budget advisory committee's recommended cuts and seek additional savings so increases do not keep outpacing cost‑of‑living adjustments.

County Treasurer Daniel Eaton Thompson (speaker 2) warned against drawing down reserves for long‑term projects, saying removing those funds now could force expensive borrowing later. Commissioners and advisory‑committee members described their process: the budget advisory committee met with department heads and made recommendations; the commissioners said they accepted most committee suggestions while restoring some items they judged necessary, including on‑site and off‑site cyber backup and retention of certain EMA items.

Emergency Management Agency (EMA) funding and use of drones emerged as a focal point. Several residents questioned the scope and pace of EMA spending and suggested cutting equipment and vehicle requests. Commissioners responded that drones require licensed pilots and integrated software to be used on incident scenes; they also said some federal funding that previously covered EMA functions has diminished, increasing county costs. A municipal official (speaker 11) and others urged the county to provide clearer documentation of grant income and to pursue longer‑term strategic planning to avoid reactive budgeting.

Corrections costs were a central budgeting pressure. A commissioner‑level speaker (speaker 13) said corrections is the single largest expense center and described reductions in state aid for jail operations, leaving the county responsible for medical and treatment costs and for boarding inmates at other facilities. Commissioners said they pressed state legislators for more funding but received limited one‑time aid.

Several municipal representatives asked whether the county could offer multiple, staggered payments to towns to ease cash‑flow pressure. Commissioners said staff are studying options and hope to develop a two‑payment plan this summer without increasing county borrowing. Officials also committed to providing a list of active grants and to update the municipalities and the public on EMA baseline services at the next meeting.

The board closed the public hearing and confirmed it will consider final action on the FY27 budget at its regular meeting on May 12. No formal vote was recorded at the hearing. The commissioners said they will continue workshops and follow up with the budget advisory committee and municipal representatives on payment options, EMA baseline needs and potential health‑insurance alternatives.