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Commissioners approve FY27 budget for Somerset Unorganized Territory with 2.85% increase, add third deputy
Summary
The Somerset County commissioners approved the FY27 budget for the Unorganized Territory, a plan that includes a third sheriff’s deputy, roadwork funding and $400,000 in TIF revenue; overall increase is 2.85%. The approval moves the budget to the state legislature for inclusion in the Unorganized Territory funding bill.
The Somerset County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the final draft of the fiscal year 2027 budget for the Somerset Unorganized Territory on Dec. 17, 2025. U/T Coordinator David Spencer presented the plan, which includes funding for a third Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the Unorganized Territory, significant road improvements and additional capital reserves for equipment replacement. The board approved the budget as presented (Resolution 25-234).
The draft relies on $400,000 in TIF revenue to offset taxes and represents a 2.85% increase over the current budget. Spencer told the board the revenue mix and planned expenditures aim to stabilize local costs while addressing service needs in the northern part of the county. Chris Fife of Weyerhaeuser, who followed the U/T budget process, thanked the commissioners for limiting the increase and asked the county to consider that Unorganized Territory taxpayers shoulder much of the cost for Sheriff coverage that also benefits organized towns.
With commissioner approval, the budget will be forwarded to the State Legislature to be included in the bill that funds services to Maine’s Unorganized Territories (U/T). Commissioners voted 5-0 to adopt the final draft.
