Council tables three-year general-assistance contract with Cumberland County pending cost and language clarifications

The Town Council on June 10 voted to table agenda item 26-057, which would have authorized the town manager to sign a three-year contract with Cumberland County for administration of the town’s general-assistance program. The motion to table passed after councilors pressed staff for clearer contract language and a complete fee schedule.

Councilors identified several problems in the draft contract: typographical errors and missing sections (one councilor said “article 7 is missing”), unclear cost modelling (the contract lists only the fiscal year 2027 fee but does not specify amounts for 2028 and 2029) and inconsistent billing terms (the document refers to an annual minimum payment but also notes quarterly or monthly invoicing for additional services). "The total amount due for these services shall be based on the following 3‑year schedule and that it only lists the fee for fiscal year '27," a councilor said, asking whether the missing years were an omission or intentional.

The town manager recommended tabling the item to allow staff and county representatives to clarify the contract terms and return with corrected language. He said the county's model has worked well for the town and that the arrangement is generally cost effective and preserves privacy for applicants, but acknowledged the draft needed tightening before authorization. Councilors also asked what alternatives exist if the town declined the county arrangement; staff said other options would likely require returning the service in-house or hiring new staff, both of which carry cost and capacity implications.

The council made a procedural motion to table the item and approved it unanimously, with staff directed to reconcile contract language, provide a complete three-year fee schedule and bring the item back for council consideration at the date-certain meeting.