[0:00] To discuss them.
[0:01] Table 2 917.
[0:03] Anything else.
[0:05] No OK.
[0:06] Do I have a second.
[0:07] Yes poll question.
[0:09] All those in favor.
[0:10] Motion carries.
[0:10] Next consent agenda.
[0:12] Anything you want to remove.
[0:15] We don't have 86 minutes yet.
[0:18] We can't approve the abatement
one, because that was just.
[0:21] That was before I was here.
[0:22] So it needs you and
Tim to table that one.
[0:24] But I move.
[0:25] We approve the
minutes from 716 2026.
[0:28] I have a second question.
[0:30] All those in favor.
[0:31] Motion carries.
[0:32] 2027 budget request 10 I'm going
to table that until commissioner
[0:39] Parker gets here.
[0:41] Is that his name.
[0:42] Yes OK.
[0:43] Sorry why did I finish it.
[0:44] I don't know.
[0:45] All right.
[0:46] We're going to wait on
that one public comment.
[0:47] Let's just go to public comment.
[0:48] What have we got.
[0:49] Anybody yep Mr. Bush.
[0:52] Good morning, Eric Bush.
[0:54] I have four items
I want to touch on.
[0:57] One is the formation of the
finance advisory committee.
[1:02] And just to confirm
that the committee is
[1:06] subject to the same
open meeting laws
[1:09] that affect the
commission itself,
[1:12] and therefore the membership has
not been reported officially.
[1:17] Meetings have not been
posted, no agendas or minutes
[1:21] have been produced, and
the charge to the committee
[1:25] has not yet been established.
[1:28] All of those things
need to happen.
[1:31] Audits the 22 audit was
completed in late February.
[1:36] The 23 audit was
completed June the 4th.
[1:39] Neither has been presented
in a public forum,
[1:43] which is really a requirement.
[1:46] The auditors ultimately have a
responsibility to the community
[1:50] and to the taxpayers to
assure the financial health
[1:55] of the County.
[1:56] It's not enough that they just
have a conversation with you
[1:59] across the room.
[2:01] So it needs to be publicly
presented somehow.
[2:06] Third department head and
commission staff performance
[2:09] reviews.
[2:09] I've submitted two FOIA
requests and still have
[2:13] not gotten a straight answer.
[2:16] So since January 1, 2025, when
commissioners Kelly and Parker
[2:21] took office, have the
commissioners conducted
[2:25] formal performance
reviews of the nine
[2:28] department heads and
three commission staff
[2:31] that report to you.
[2:34] That responsibility rests
with the commissioners,
[2:38] since in this County,
all of those individuals
[2:41] report directly to the
commission will not be done.
[2:46] And finally, the
2027 budget after,
[2:50] I think we'd have to acknowledge
a most unsatisfactory 3, 2026
[2:56] budget process that took
seven months to complete
[3:00] and resulted in a 15% increase.
[3:03] I expected that would result
in some real belt tightening
[3:07] this year, but it hasn't.
[3:10] Preliminary estimate if I
heard correctly on the tape
[3:13] that I listened to over.
[3:15] The last meeting,
estimates suggest
[3:18] handing off to the
Budget Committee
[3:20] a budget proposal
with a 22% increase.
[3:25] That's just not realistic.
[3:28] The budget should also
be posted on the website.
[3:32] So as it's given to
the Budget Committee,
[3:35] the public has the
right to know what
[3:37] as commissioners have
proposed to them before they
[3:41] go through their process.
[3:43] And one specific thing
I just wanted to notice
[3:46] has to do with special
appropriations.
[3:49] Earlier this year,
in the last process
[3:52] I wrote that the County
needed to determine
[3:57] whether in three minutes.
[3:59] Can I just finish this
up real quick, please.
[4:02] Thank you.
[4:03] The County needs to
determine whether it's
[4:05] in the business of supporting
community organizations.
[4:09] And if it is to define what
specifically it will consider
[4:13] funding and what it won't.
[4:16] And once decided that
opportunity has to be made
[4:20] known to all qualifying
nonprofits in Waldo County.
[4:26] It's not enough
just to wait and see
[4:30] who happens to figure out,
oh, I can apply to the County
[4:33] for this.
[4:34] If you're in that business,
then you have a responsibility
[4:38] to make the community more
broadly aware that they can
[4:41] apply if they fall
into the guidelines
[4:45] that you should
have established.
[4:47] But I don't believe
at this point.
[4:50] And as there's 12,500in
this year's budget.
[4:55] And because of what I've just
said, you've got requests
[4:58] for $132,000 this year.
[5:02] So thank you.
[5:03] That needs to be.
[5:04] Thank you very much.
[5:04] Thank you.
[5:07] Any other comments.
[5:10] Can we get an answer for him on
the performance review so that
[5:13] it's actually 6 and not
9:00 because they're elected
[5:17] officials.
[5:17] Elected officials don't.
[5:20] The human resources
handbook does
[5:22] not apply to elected officials.
[5:23] It is 6.
[5:24] It's a work in progress.
[5:25] Thank you.
[5:28] Any other comments.
[5:30] Are you saying, though,
that there discussion.
[5:32] I'm sorry, Mr. Bush.
[5:33] No discussion.
[5:34] Have there been no discussion.
[5:37] You had your three minutes.
[5:38] You haven't answered
the question I did.
[5:41] You had your three minutes plus.
[5:43] Thank you.
[5:45] Anything else.
[5:47] I'm sorry for running late.
[5:48] There was traffic and rain
understood school buses,
[5:51] it was literally in Unity.
[5:53] Sorry well, I am interested
in this question of the Eric
[6:01] Eric's language
that the audit needs
[6:04] to be in a public presentation.
[6:05] I'm curious about where that
comes from because to me,
[6:09] US having a public meeting
and discussing the audit
[6:12] with the auditor and having the
audits available on the website,
[6:15] to me, that meets the
public requirement.
[6:17] But I don't know if that's
something this board
[6:22] has more information on.
[6:23] Kevin or actually the
auditor did present,
[6:27] and I think it was the
longest period of time
[6:29] that the auditors spent
answering questions
[6:32] in the history of the County.
[6:33] I think it was over
close to 44 minutes.
[6:35] So to me, that feels
like it satisfies the it
[6:38] satisfies the requirements.
[6:40] 
[6:43] Anything else, Commissioner
No, let's move on.
[6:46] 
[6:50] I know some of these are
going to take some time.
[6:52] Let's go.
[6:52] North port tower discussion.
[6:54] Mike, what have you got.
[6:55] 
[7:02] Thanks yeah.
[7:04] Good morning sir.
[7:05] Just identify yourself so
that we can get you on record.
[7:08] Thank you, Jonathan Ward,
Lincolnville fire department.
[7:13] We know Mike actually
look that way.
[7:16] Lincolnville fire department
chief, thank you for coming.
[7:19] So I was approached by
Lakeville fire department asking
[7:21] for permission to
utilize our North Port
[7:24] tower for their local
frequency that they use
[7:30] for on scene communications.
[7:34] I asked them to come here
and present that to you
[7:37] folks to make a decision.
[7:39] Before we even get into any of
the logistics or any of that.
[7:44] So any of you guys want to state
the purpose and all that stuff.
[7:47] And sure.
[7:48] So very basically
in this area we
[7:51] rely on radio repeaters,
basically mountaintop
[7:54] transmitters, to allow for
coverage over the various hills
[7:58] and valleys.
[7:59] Waldo County EMA
has given a surplus
[8:05] repeater unit, which is very
serviceable to the Lincolnville
[8:08] fire department.
[8:09] And the idea for that it
was given with the intent
[8:14] that it would be set
up on the South Tower,
[8:17] that the Point Lookout tower.
[8:20] And that existing
frequencies for which
[8:23] Lincolnville fire
is licensed would be
[8:26] used to bring that repeater up.
[8:30] If that were the case, it would
not only benefit our department
[8:36] being located in North Port.
[8:37] North port would also
be able to use it
[8:40] and one of the
areas of coverage,
[8:43] which is hitherto escaped us,
has been on the seaward side
[8:48] of Camden Hills State Park
and within the park itself,
[8:51] and we feel that looking.
[8:53] I've done some surveys,
both aerial and ground,
[8:57] and looking at that
location, we should
[9:00] be able to pick up coverage in
the park, which Lincolnville
[9:03] fire covers for rescues,
which another organization,
[9:09] coastal mountain search and
rescue, which I'm a part also
[9:14] utilizes.
[9:15] So it would not only be
Lincolnville benefit,
[9:17] there would be several
agencies in the County.
[9:21] Did you have any communications
issues in the Robins incident.
[9:26] Were you.
[9:27] I don't know if you got
I think you responded.
[9:29] Oh yeah.
[9:29] Yeah Donnie and I were 10 feet
from the silo when it went.
[9:33] Really actually, yeah.
[9:34] Thank you for responding.
[9:36] Thank you.
[9:37] Generally speaking, I
think communications
[9:39] were communication
solid fairly well.
[9:44] Up in the helicopter
trying to communicate.
[9:47] I don't think there was any real
easy way to communicate, back
[9:49] to command.
[9:50] And that was really
the only big problem
[9:52] we had was trying to do a size
up from the air to let command
[9:56] know what we had going on,
but no real big communication
[10:00] problems.
[10:01] Just a lot of people in one
spot using very few frequencies
[10:05] was the only real big issue.
[10:06] But OK, reception was fine.
[10:09] So you've got so this is just
to strengthen your signal
[10:12] or is it dead spots.
[10:15] But both so, so dead spots down
in the valleys of Lincolnville.
[10:19] We definitely have
some dead spots.
[10:21] We got some issues there.
[10:22] The other thing is
it's important to have
[10:24] discrete frequencies for
the individual departments.
[10:27] The responsibility of
dispatch is basically
[10:29] to get the information out there
to us respond to this location.
[10:34] But we can't stay
on that frequency,
[10:36] nor can other departments when
they have large incidents,
[10:39] because it would tend to
clog up basically the radio
[10:43] equivalent of a 911 system.
[10:45] So we did have those frequencies
set up in a low elevation
[10:51] scenario in Lincolnville,
which worked
[10:53] OK, but not well in places.
[10:55] And this would get
the elevation up.
[10:57] What about weather.
[10:59] Anything if you get the
tower, will that help
[11:02] increase any weather issues
like whiteouts or something
[11:06] like that or.
[11:07] I mean, any anytime
radio antenna is higher.
[11:11] That's generally better.
[11:13] What I do appreciate having
looked at the site up
[11:16] there is, of course, there's a
very professional installation
[11:19] on Point Lookout
generator backup,
[11:21] great shelter for
the transmitter
[11:23] and a very, very solid tower.
[11:26] So that's good to hear
a little bit of history
[11:27] with Lincolnville.
[11:28] They were dispatched by
Knox County for a long time
[11:31] and came back over to us
because of that tower,
[11:35] because of the coverage.
[11:36] They weren't getting the
necessary the necessary coverage
[11:40] they needed through Knox County.
[11:43] So putting this their
antenna next to ours
[11:47] would give them
pretty good coverage
[11:49] throughout Lincolnville.
[11:50] I don't think you guys
have any dead spots now.
[11:52] Really we have no dead spots.
[11:53] Yeah that's why the
desire is to move up.
[11:55] So what do you recommend, Mike.
[11:58] Like I said in the email
that I had sent you was,
[12:03] I think if they work with and I
don't know who your radio vendor
[12:07] is, but from my
standpoint, I'd like
[12:09] to see if we'd go forward with
this if they work with r.c.m.
[12:12] Yeah, absolutely.
[12:14] Because they've done our whole
system and I just want it
[12:17] all standardized.
[12:18] Makes sense.
[12:20] I suggest that depending
on the frequency
[12:22] that they work with r.c.m to
get into our combiner and so
[12:27] and explain the combiner.
[12:29] So combiner is
what we call cans.
[12:31] They are these round cylindrical
cans this big around that long.
[12:35] And they're stacked from
floor to floor, 5 feet high.
[12:38] And what that does is
that allows us to have all
[12:41] of our radio frequencies with
two antennas on the tower, one
[12:45] transmit, one receive, and
the combiner filters out
[12:48] all the different frequencies.
[12:50] And basically you can have a
law enforcement person talking
[12:55] and a fired person talking
on one radio system,
[12:59] and it knows to
filter everything
[13:00] out and put it to the right.
[13:02] Good thank you.
[13:03] So there's a couple
of different options.
[13:06] One is to put in the combiner.
[13:08] Then all it is in work
inside the building.
[13:12] No tower work.
[13:14] The second option would be to
put a new antenna on the tower,
[13:18] which then they'd have.
[13:19] We'd have to get a structural
analysis on the tower
[13:21] to make sure it can support it.
[13:23] Put an antenna up,
pay for a climber,
[13:25] run cabling and then do the
install in the building.
[13:29] And then the third
option, if it would work,
[13:31] would be to put an antenna
on the building itself.
[13:33] If that would give
them coverage.
[13:35] I don't know if it would.
[13:36] They'd have to do some testing
to see if that was sufficient
[13:38] or not.
[13:39] So what do you recommend.
[13:39] I recommend working with
RCM and putting them right
[13:42] into the combiner, as
long as it doesn't create
[13:43] any interference on the form.
[13:45] That sounds like
a good first step.
[13:47] Yeah OK.
[13:48] This is no charge.
[13:49] Correct yeah.
[13:51] This charge.
[13:53] Yeah, we paid for that.
[13:54] Yeah, but this is no charge
ongoing for the Lincoln fire
[13:57] department.
[13:58] That's the point.
[13:59] I want to stress.
[14:00] I don't see a reason to
be charging the fire.
[14:01] Department of Health and safety.
[14:04] As far as I'm concerned, yeah.
[14:05] Questions what
was your thoughts.
[14:09] What was your thoughts.
[14:10] Ideas on this.
[14:12] Did we talk to their
fire department.
[14:14] I did not talk to
Paul at all about it.
[14:16] I figured we'd come to
you guys first to see
[14:18] if it was even something that
would be allowed to pursue.
[14:21] And then the only reason
why I bring it up,
[14:24] and I stay away from
fire departments
[14:26] because everybody has their own.
[14:28] I get it, I get it.
[14:31] So, I just.
[14:34] I mean, I'm OK with
the idea of it,
[14:35] but I don't want to
step on anybody's toes.
[14:37] Well, one of the
things we would do
[14:40] once we got that up and
running is go to poll basically
[14:43] and say, hey, here
are the frequencies.
[14:45] Jump on.
[14:47] Because yeah, it's
in their town.
[14:49] And I will say that having
been in the fire service
[14:52] for over 30 years, the
cooperation between departments
[14:56] is rising.
[14:57] Every agency has to be.
[14:59] Yeah especially on
the volunteer ones.
[15:01] Absolutely the more you
work together, the better.
[15:04] Yeah Because one other
question I have is
[15:07] if you guys approved this,
would it be OK for us to share
[15:11] the frequency with
the State Park
[15:14] so that their employees
could have this frequency
[15:17] to be able for, as well as share
it with Camden fire department,
[15:21] because we also share
that State Park.
[15:24] Yeah, Lincolnville
is over half of it.
[15:26] Camden has the other part of it.
[15:29] And then the State Park.
[15:30] That's a good question,
but that's about I mean,
[15:32] I'm all for it, but that's
because I want to do
[15:34] dispatching in Knox County.
[15:36] So I want to make money.
[15:38] Yeah I just think
if we can share it,
[15:41] it will benefit everybody.
[15:42] And there's a lot.
[15:43] What do you.
[15:43] What do you think, Mike.
[15:44] So I was just going
to say this right now,
[15:46] the County has what we
call common channels.
[15:48] We have four of them.
[15:50] CC 1 through CC four.
[15:52] One is located in Frankfort,
one in Knox, one in liberty
[15:57] and one here in Belfast.
[15:59] We don't have one that covers
down that part of the County.
[16:03] So this as long as Lincolnville
owns the equipment,
[16:06] they own the actual
license to the frequency.
[16:10] And my thought is, if
they're willing to open it up
[16:12] a little bit further to some
of the surrounding departments
[16:15] as a working channel, as long
as it doesn't interfere if they
[16:18] have a fire because they
would be primary on it, then
[16:21] I have no problem
with that because that
[16:22] would be great for that area.
[16:24] So who owns the frequency.
[16:25] They will own the frequency.
[16:26] We'll have a license.
[16:28] So that would be a
decision for you I think.
[16:31] Not for us to overstep
our bounds and get into.
[16:34] We're basically
giving them a place
[16:35] situation a place on our radio.
[16:38] Yeah so Commissioner you had
some comments or questions.
[16:40] No that just makes
sense to me that it's
[16:42] sort of like they're like
intellectual property,
[16:44] so to speak, versus we help
with the physical plant.
[16:47] Yeah, yeah.
[16:49] So yes.
[16:50] Is there any additional costs on
the County side if we do this.
[16:54] No OK.
[16:57] So I'll entertain a motion
to approve and move forward.
[17:00] So moved.
[17:01] At first I have a second.
[17:02] Second the only last thing
is just keep us posted.
[17:06] If there's issues.
[17:08] Some you never know
with issues like this.
[17:10] If something else is going to
pop up, just keep us posted.
[17:13] Any more discussion.
[17:14] Hearing none.
[17:15] Call the question.
[17:15] All those in favor.
[17:16] Motion carries unanimous.
[17:17] Thank you very much
for your service.
[17:18] Thank you very much for
responding to Robins fire, too.
[17:21] Thank you.
[17:21] You're very welcome.
[17:22] Thanks Thank you.
[17:23] Commissioners yeah.
[17:24] Next on the agenda,
East Northport.
[17:30] Go back.
[17:31] Excuse me.
[17:32] Go back.
[17:32] 
[17:36] Yes, sir.
[17:36] Yes, ma'am.
[17:37] Yes, ma'am.
[17:38] Could we please take Jerry
Merrill next because she
[17:40] has another meeting to go to.
[17:42] Sure you can step forward.
[17:44] Thank you.
[17:45] Thanks, Barb.
[17:46] Thank you.
[17:47] Barbara Sherri Merrill,
executive director.
[17:53] Thank you.
[17:55] So I think we wanted to bring
you back because Commissioner
[17:57] Parker stepped
out before, but we
[17:58] wanted to make sure that
we all heard your request
[18:01] and to make sure that the budget
process that everybody has heard
[18:06] by all three
commissioners, especially
[18:08] under the appropriations.
[18:09] 
[18:13] Act is this time
to take our meds.
[18:17] No, I'm just kidding you.
[18:18] That's right.
[18:19] So go ahead.
[18:19] So your request originally was
for how much $50,000 $3,000.
[18:26] It's our first request in more
than six years to the County.
[18:32] We are.
[18:33] Last year, we served over
8,200 people in the County,
[18:38] which is more than 20%
of the County population.
[18:42] Was the population.
[18:43] It was 8,000.
[18:45] We served more than 8,200.
[18:47] It was close to 8,300 for the
population of Waldo County
[18:53] was 40,000 plus last year.
[18:57] I went over all the programs.
[18:59] If you want me to continue
to go over that again.
[19:02] Oh, yeah.
[19:03] Sure OK.
[19:04] So we run the Belfast
soup kitchen five days
[19:07] a week, Monday through Friday.
[19:09] We're serving 400 meals
a day out of there.
[19:12] We offer inside dining,
takeout and curbside.
[19:16] And then we also have a County
wide delivery program touching
[19:20] all four corners of the County.
[19:22] We're delivering to about
150 households a week.
[19:26] Through that delivery program,
and then every other week,
[19:29] we are delivering food
boxes to those people
[19:33] who qualify in the
kindness community market.
[19:39] We have seen a 54% increase
in families utilizing
[19:43] the market since January.
[19:46] At this point, we have spent 84%
of our food budget for the year
[19:51] already.
[19:52] Are you calendar
or fiscal calendar.
[19:54] Calendar calendar.
[19:57] Do you still get
food from our garden.
[20:00] We are getting food
from the garden.
[20:02] Yes what I said last
time that I was here
[20:06] is that there is
not the quantity.
[20:08] There used to be, because Dale
is concentrating on the quality.
[20:12] And that makes a lot
more sense, because when
[20:14] I got zucchinis this
big, the only place
[20:17] they were going to the big.
[20:19] So we're not getting as much
as we used to out of there.
[20:22] Which is fine because
it's more usable.
[20:26] I would say 25% of what we used
to get is what we're getting.
[20:30] So let me just back up to
the County Constitution.
[20:36] So do you measure in poundage
or is it just all our donations
[20:41] that we take in are
measured in pounds,
[20:43] and then it's converted to
dollar amount by the Feeding
[20:47] America, whatever their amount.
[20:50] Whatever the calculation
is for this year.
[20:53] So the poundage.
[20:53] Do you know the poundage
offhand from the County
[20:55] guide and previous versus not.
[20:57] I do not.
[20:58] OK I'm going to say last year
it was less than 500 pounds.
[21:02] 500 pounds and I know
way less than that.
[21:04] How many staff do you have.
[21:06] Current well, I'm supposed
to have four staff.
[21:11] And we were going to hire
another part time staff,
[21:15] so that would have
been five plus myself.
[21:18] I had now have two vacancies.
[21:20] So right now I'm operating
with three staff.
[21:23] Should be at six.
[21:24] We should be at six.
[21:25] And does one of those six.
[21:27] Are they responsible
for the transportation.
[21:30] Yes I have a delivery manager
and we have our own truck.
[21:34] Just one.
[21:35] Just one.
[21:35] So we are serving
about 400 families.
[21:46] Families a week in the
kindness community market.
[21:50] And through the
food box delivery.
[21:53] So 400 meals a day,
400 families a week.
[21:55] And the kindness community
market yesterday we saw 123
[21:59] go through there.
[22:01] I know you run a great
organization over there.
[22:03] I've actually visited.
[22:05] I actually had lunch.
[22:06] It's a great organization
without question.
[22:08] I don't think anybody
can do it better.
[22:10] And I visited a lot of
food shelters in my career.
[22:13] So besides those programs, we
also have six help yourself
[22:18] shelves in main health
offices across Waldo County
[22:23] to meet people where they are.
[22:24] So we stocked dry goods
and produce in those areas,
[22:28] and people can access those when
they go to their regular doctor
[22:31] appointments.
[22:32] We also do a backpack and
food pantry program in RSU 20.
[22:38] So on the weekends,
we send home two
[22:40] breakfast, three lunch
dinners for identified K
[22:43] through five students.
[22:45] And then we operate a
pantry hygiene closet
[22:48] in the middle high
school that students
[22:50] can access throughout the week.
[22:52] We are going to be duplicating
that starting next week
[22:56] in RSU 71.
[22:58] So we will have a
backpack program K
[23:00] through five in their
elementary schools and a.
[23:02] 
[23:05] Food pantries, hygiene
closet in the middle school
[23:07] and the high school.
[23:08] And then in both locations we
will be distributing produce
[23:12] free produce twice a month,
the first and third week
[23:16] of every month, and
anybody can access that.
[23:19] And we typically distribute
about 2,400 pounds at that time.
[23:25] We have the freezers out at the
Waldo County tech center that we
[23:31] have shared with the other 19
food pantries in Waldo County
[23:35] for the last six years,
not charging them anything
[23:38] and allowing them to store
goods there to distribute
[23:42] in the name of hunger relief.
[23:45] I'm trying to think, what
else if I'm missing anything.
[23:48] We now have the
community health hub,
[23:50] so we have several
different agencies in there
[23:52] so that when people
need assistance,
[23:55] we don't have to send
them to another agency.
[23:57] We're now getting representation
from the other agencies.
[24:00] On site.
[24:02] Community health workers
are connecting people
[24:05] with medical resources, and
we have community paramedicine
[24:10] through a referral program that
can actually do wound care.
[24:17] Medication management,
those types
[24:19] of things when people don't
have a primary care physician.
[24:23] Really Yes.
[24:25] And who's doing the wound care.
[24:26] Just curious.
[24:27] Who do you who's Debbie Heath.
[24:29] She an RN, LPN.
[24:32] Debbie is a paramedic.
[24:33] Paramedic?
[24:34] OK.
[24:34] Good, good.
[24:35] Yeah, I was actually
certified wound care.
[24:37] That's the reason I was.
[24:38] It's through.
[24:38] It's through community.
[24:39] Paramedicine so here's a
left field question for you.
[24:46] If Penobscot community health
center, they're in the news.
[24:49] They're three million short.
[24:51] If they cut back services how
is it going to affect you here.
[24:55] What kind of services
do you get from PCA.
[24:58] Now we're still in
discussion with PCHC.
[25:01] So most of our
services right now
[25:04] are provided through
mainehealth, Maine Health,
[25:06] Maine Health, new seasons.
[25:07] We have the mobile methadone
unit there three days a week
[25:11] Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
[25:13] We have the public health
nurse there on Wednesdays.
[25:16] Community health
workers options.
[25:19] Sweetser we have a variety
of other agencies, so.
[25:22] But you'll still take
some type of impact
[25:24] from it if they
reduce their services.
[25:27] Absolutely yeah, absolutely.
[25:29] Other questions.
[25:32] Oh, yeah, I got some.
[25:34] I'm doing the math.
[25:35] 
[25:39] Oh, just give me a second.
[25:41] I just want to make sure
I have the right number
[25:43] before I present this.
[25:45] My only comments are related
to special appropriations
[25:48] funding in general.
[25:49] So I don't know.
[25:50] We'll discuss that
as part of this
[25:51] or later on in the
budget discussion today.
[25:58] So I wanted to make
this as fair as possible
[26:02] before I presented
it, because I did not
[26:05] want to be one town
versus a different town
[26:07] because of the last time we
did special appropriation
[26:09] conversations.
[26:11] This is not a town.
[26:13] Remember, this is
not just Belfast.
[26:15] The entire County.
[26:16] I'm aware.
[26:17] OK, but we had another
special appropriation
[26:20] that did provide for multiple
districts throughout the County.
[26:23] So again, I'm going to try
to be fair before I make this
[26:26] presentation based off of your
$50,000 that you're requesting,
[26:32] if you were to break
it down, it's about
[26:34] $1.23 off of our population.
[26:40] If you go off of 2020 census,
you're looking at 39,607 people.
[26:44] If you look at AI'S
projection, as of 2026,
[26:47] you're looking at 40,693.
[26:50] So I went off of the eye for 26,
which brings it down to $1.23.
[26:56] So for $1.23 per person.
[27:02] And that's not including
gas transportation, labor
[27:07] we're able to service almost
a fourth of the population
[27:11] here in Waldo County.
[27:14] Correct Correct.
[27:15] All right.
[27:16] And those are
unduplicated numbers.
[27:18] And again, that's $1.23.
[27:20] And I'm not factoring any
kind of taxes, payroll,
[27:23] gas, transportation,
vehicle breakdowns,
[27:27] buying of the vehicle.
[27:29] And of course, the processing
of the food from when
[27:32] they get it to the table.
[27:34] So just wanted to clarify that.
[27:36] We're talking about $1.23
without all those subtractions
[27:40] to that dollar.
[27:43] Any other discussion.
[27:46] Do you want to hold a motion
until we get to the budget.
[27:50] She has a meeting to attend.
[27:52] Or do you want to put
a motion on the table.
[27:55] Which do you prefer.
[27:57] 
[27:59] I wouldn't put a motion
on the table now.
[28:01] I'd discuss it later.
[28:02] But you want to discuss later.
[28:05] How is that any different than
the other special appropriations
[28:08] that we did.
[28:10] That's the reason I'm
asking the question.
[28:11] Yeah you're welcome
to put a motion.
[28:13] OK yeah.
[28:13] OK yeah.
[28:14] I mean, I'll make a motion that
we approve the $50,000 a second.
[28:19] Second for discussion,
second for discussion.
[28:21] Discussion I'm not going to
be voting in favor of it.
[28:25] I have been thinking about
special appropriations
[28:28] for the last couple of weeks
since we first started having
[28:31] these conversations, and I just
keep coming back to the idea
[28:37] that we currently have a
spending freeze on anything over
[28:41] $1,000, that we have a
hiring freeze that we have,
[28:46] as a very similar budget
challenge that we had last year.
[28:51] And for me, I want to revisit
special appropriations
[28:56] in general, because I don't
think that we should be making
[28:58] donations to organizations when
we can't pay our own Bills,
[29:02] no matter how wonderful the
return on investment is.
[29:06] It's not personal to any
of the organizations.
[29:09] I just don't think
that the County is
[29:11] financially in a
position to be making
[29:14] donations to organizations.
[29:16] Or you could call it an
investment in an organization.
[29:18] It's a good investment.
[29:19] We just don't in my opinion,
have the money to do it.
[29:22] So I'm not going to be in favor.
[29:25] I completely disagree.
[29:27] I look at it completely
the other way.
[29:29] I think that for the return
of the investment of all
[29:32] the things that I
just listed, I mean,
[29:34] we're already doing a garden.
[29:37] This garden is already
invested in this organization.
[29:40] This isn't just an organization
that popped up overnight.
[29:43] This organization works
with all the food pantries
[29:46] all over all of the towns.
[29:47] Which is why in the beginning
of my presentation, I said,
[29:50] I'm not going to target
one town or the other
[29:52] because all populations
of each town is different.
[29:55] There was an argument
that was made back in 2024
[29:59] about this same type of issue,
different special appropriation,
[30:02] that for every dollar
you spend get $10 back.
[30:07] I just strongly disagree.
[30:08] I mean, I think that
we should those 8,000
[30:13] plus families in
Waldo County can
[30:16] access that market once a week.
[30:19] So they're not just coming once.
[30:20] They're coming back
weekly, they're
[30:23] getting they can shop just like
they shop in the grocery store.
[30:26] It's a three day supplement.
[30:29] And like I said, we've seen
a 54% increase in utilization
[30:33] since January.
[30:34] And come October, that number
is going to climb even higher.
[30:37] When families are facing the
fact that they have to put fuel
[30:40] oil to heat their homes
and continue to put gas
[30:43] in their cars to get to work,
and that's where the breakdown
[30:47] ends up is with food.
[30:49] Well, I appreciate you
saying that because that's
[30:51] what I was getting to because
this isn't just a $1.23.
[30:55] They come get food.
[30:57] This is we're coming to you.
[30:59] We have a vehicle.
[31:01] Some of these people can't
get to where you're at,
[31:03] and this affects
the people that need
[31:07] it the most in our community.
[31:11] And I want to reiterate
that we do not
[31:12] take state or federal money.
[31:14] Yes, we do participate
in the program
[31:16] that comes to us in the form of
free food from Good Shepherd.
[31:20] All the other food we're
getting from Good Shepherd,
[31:22] we're purchasing.
[31:24] We are working with
partners across the County
[31:27] to get donated foods and
Hannaford and the Belfast co-op.
[31:31] But we do not take
federal funds or state
[31:34] funds because they tend to
restrict us in who we can serve.
[31:37] And the Belfast soup
kitchen prides itself
[31:39] on serving anybody who
needs the assistance I
[31:42] agree with that point totally.
[31:44] I've been down that
road hundreds of times.
[31:48] I struggle, I hear both
sides of the arguments
[31:52] and sometimes I sit-in the
middle to break the tie.
[31:56] I struggle with the amount.
[31:57] It's not the concept, it's the
amount in the financial position
[32:00] that the County is in right now.
[32:03] Understood funding.
[32:07] And I go back to this
might be a bad comparison,
[32:10] but I go back to some of
the opioid funding FTEs.
[32:14] I get concerned
because after a year
[32:16] that funding goes away,
typically in trying to fund
[32:19] that full time equivalent
employee gets difficult
[32:23] because you're trying
to find out the revenue
[32:25] stream to support that service.
[32:27] So I'm not in favor
of funding an FTE.
[32:32] However, I would like to us to
finish up the budget process.
[32:36] We're still muddling
through the budget process,
[32:39] trying to figure out where
we're at as a County before we
[32:42] present to the Budget Committee.
[32:45] And so for me personally, I
don't want to say no, totally.
[32:50] But I want to say no.
[32:51] I want to say no to funding FTE.
[32:54] It's just it's a stretch
in this budget last year.
[32:59] I'm not asking you to
fund any of my personnel.
[33:02] I'm asking you to
fund food when I'm at.
[33:05] When at the end of
July, I had reached
[33:08] 85% of my purchasing budget
because of the number of people
[33:12] that are coming.
[33:13] So the heating oil right now,
I checked last week is $5.16.
[33:17] So I'm shopping
for heating oil to
[33:19] and it's all dependent upon
the environment, what's
[33:22] going on internationally.
[33:23] And it's going to be
another tough year
[33:27] trying to figure that out.
[33:28] And I'm even looking
at my wood supply too.
[33:30] So it's affecting
everybody across the board,
[33:34] not only those that
have the higher
[33:36] need, but those that have a
lesser need type of situation.
[33:40] Whether they're
financial position
[33:42] is a little bit different.
[33:43] So any more discussion.
[33:45] I deliver firewood
or whatever you do.
[33:48] It's good to know.
[33:49] I just want to say I
am happy with any part
[33:52] of an appropriation that
the County can give us
[33:56] because as I said,
this is the first time
[33:58] we've asked in a long time.
[34:00] I was discouraged
from asking for,
[34:03] but we are serving the
population of Waldo County,
[34:07] so I've been homeless.
[34:08] Sherry so and I've
never forgotten
[34:10] it for 3 and 1/2 months
living in the wood at 17.
[34:14] To this day, I still
stock canned goods.
[34:17] To this day, my wife doesn't
allow me to go down the canned
[34:19] goods section if she's with me.
[34:21] So I totally get it when you're
hungry, that's the number
[34:25] one priority, period.
[34:27] There's nothing else
on your mind any more.
[34:30] Discussion?
[34:31] hearing none.
[34:32] Call the question so
the motion is read it
[34:34] back to us to approve $50,000.
[34:39] OK, so before you
call the question,
[34:42] is there a number that
you could live with.
[34:45] I want to look at
the total budget.
[34:46] Before we present and revisit,
I think that's the fair thing
[34:51] to be saying for me right now.
[34:54] Because not only
do we have that,
[34:56] but our heating
costs and everything
[34:59] are going up, for the County.
[35:01] And here's one other
caveat to a lot of people.
[35:04] I sat down with the County
clerk and filled out
[35:06] a survey for the National
Association of counties.
[35:12] Association nationally
looking at the services
[35:15] that the County provides
and the litany of the list
[35:19] that they had on there and
trying to figure out why
[35:22] aren't we providing more
services to the County.
[35:25] And it's disturbing.
[35:27] And trying to figure
out how to do it.
[35:28] And this would be fiscally
responsible at the same time
[35:31] as the other question.
[35:32] So I encourage the
other two commissioners
[35:36] to look at the survey
that was submitted and put
[35:40] on our thinking hats, just where
do we need to go for the future.
[35:43] And I think that's
the big question.
[35:45] So any more discussion.
[35:48] Hearing none.
[35:49] Call the question.
[35:50] All those in favor.
[35:51] All those opposed.
[35:53] Motion fails.
[35:54] Thank you.
[35:55] Thank you very much.
[35:56] And I really do.
[35:57] We really do appreciate
what your organization
[35:59] is doing over there.
[36:00] Thank you.
[36:01] It's a struggle for us, too.
[36:02] I know that I know that.
[36:03] Thank you.
[36:04] Thank you.
[36:06] So that one.
[36:09] Barb, do we need to go to the
contracts first for the opioid,
[36:12] or is that part of a report.
[36:16] I think you can.
[36:17] It's not part of the report.
[36:19] It's an old business.
[36:20] Old business Yes All
right, so we'll go down.
[36:23] War bonds there.
[36:24] 
[36:27] All right.
[36:28] Let's go to executive session.
[36:29] A discussion of general
government labor contract
[36:31] negotiation pursuant to
Mrs. Subchapter one 405 60.
[36:38] Let me know when
we're off record.
[36:40] Thank you.
[36:40] 
[36:50] Is that firewood.
[36:51] You can say, oh, I was just
asked to give it to you.
[36:55] 
[37:03] Any time.
[37:03] Chris quick.
[37:06] It should be quick.
[37:07] Not even a minute.
[37:08] 
[37:12] It's possible.
[37:14] So be back on board.
[37:15] I take it.
[37:16] Yes OK.
[37:18] So, Colin, we're out
of executive session.
[37:22] No motions required.
[37:25] No action taken.
[37:27] This is September 3, 2026, and
we're continuing the County
[37:31] commissioner's court session.
[37:33] So, Chris, I'll put you right
up so we can put on the table
[37:38] what you've got real quick.
[37:39] 
[37:43] Good morning, commissioners.
[37:44] How are you.
[37:45] Good morning.
[37:46] I just want to get
your permission
[37:48] to pay this fuel bill.
[37:50] The fuel.
[37:51] The propane tank up at
the Sheriff's Office.
[37:55] It needed 966 gallons.
[37:58] So that cost us $1,661.69.
[38:03] And I just wanted to
get permission that I
[38:04] can go ahead and code it.
[38:05] How are we doing with budgeting
on this line item for the year.
[38:10] How's it looking.
[38:11] So with this one, this
takes us almost right up
[38:16] to hopefully we'll get one more
fuel bill for this building
[38:22] where it's August
or September now.
[38:26] But we're this was a big one.
[38:28] This was a big fail right here.
[38:30] But I mean, do you think
that line item will
[38:33] exceed by the end of
the year, or do you
[38:34] it'll be on target or under.
[38:36] If I can have an educated
guess, I would say
[38:37] it probably go a little over.
[38:39] Yes OK.
[38:39] It will go over
this a little bit.
[38:41] This line item.
[38:44] We obviously they
haven't filled it
[38:47] since probably March
or February or March
[38:51] and that's lasted until now.
[38:52] And what was the
amount again, Chris.
[38:56] How many gallons.
[38:58] No the dollar amount.
[38:59] The dollar amount. $1,661.69
but this is also included.
[39:06] This price, to be fair, is
now that new contract that we
[39:10] had negotiated for $0.10 more.
[39:13] Because that contract
expires in May of every year.
[39:17] But whereas this time around, we
signed the we got the same price
[39:21] for the next two years.
[39:22] So next year's budget line
next year is I was able to get
[39:26] a solid number with the
$0.10 more per gallon,
[39:28] because that's what
we have signed up for.
[39:32] OK, so I'll entertain a
motion to approve that.
[39:36] So moved.
[39:37] Second but first
I have a second.
[39:40] So any more discussion.
[39:42] Hearing none.
[39:43] Call the call a question.
[39:44] Motion carries.
[39:46] Next, Chris.
[39:47] That's it.
[39:47] That was it.
[39:48] That was it.
[39:48] Thank you very much.
[39:50] Appreciate it.
[39:51] I'm sorry. $1,661.69
thank you very much.
[39:57] Have a good day, commissioners.
[39:58] Thank you.
[40:00] Finance report.
[40:02] What do we got.
[40:03] Oh, I got all kinds of things.
[40:05] 
[40:12] Oh, I would like to
approach the bench
[40:17] to give you an email
requesting some funds
[40:21] that you should review.
[40:25] I personally am not looking
for a decision today on this.
[40:30] 
[40:49] And if I could,
is there a reason
[40:50] the Department
doesn't want to come
[40:52] and present to the commission.
[40:53] I got the email.
[40:54] I'm happy to bounce back and
say that the commissioners
[40:57] would like you to present.
[41:00] What do you think.
[41:01] It was budgeted.
[41:02] I don't know that that's OK.
[41:05] I mean, $17,000.
[41:09] I'm pulling up that line
item in last year's budget,
[41:14] said department 1050.
[41:18] Well, I mean fuel one also
was budgeted and Chris came.
[41:22] Yeah correct.
[41:23] I appreciate that.
[41:24] Based off the motion that
was made a few weeks ago,
[41:26] that anything over
$1,000 had to be
[41:28] approved by the commissioners.
[41:30] Yeah, I just didn't know
that meant in person.
[41:33] That's all.
[41:35] Although I appreciate in person.
[41:37] I just.
[41:37] 
[41:40] But I do think that
at the next meeting,
[41:43] the Sheriff and the
deputy are going
[41:44] to be here anyways for the
license plate reader discussion.
[41:47] So we'll table this.
[41:48] OK let's table, we'll table
this request until 917.
[41:58] Great all right.
[42:01] So my presentation today is
other than warrants primarily
[42:06] discussion regarding the
finance advisory committee Owen
[42:10] presented at the last meeting.
[42:12] What was going on.
[42:14] And this past meeting, we
wrapped up with our account
[42:18] consolidation on our reserves.
[42:21] We've been looking at
what to consolidate,
[42:25] reviewing the language
and tightening
[42:28] up that language a little bit.
[42:31] It's been a good
activity for us.
[42:34] Great discussion.
[42:36] And the value that they add
to this has been amazing.
[42:41] I gave packets which are
in front of each of you,
[42:44] and I would just like
to start off by saying,
[42:48] in our capital reserves
we had 10 accounts.
[42:51] We reduced those
to five accounts
[42:53] with our active reserves.
[42:55] We had eight reserve
accounts, we reduced that
[42:58] to three accounts, and we
reduced six jail reserve
[43:02] accounts to two accounts.
[43:05] With past and current changes.
[43:08] We have, we have and will
be eliminating a total
[43:12] of 14 account reserve accounts.
[43:14] 
[43:20] So we're going to go to
facility is already done.
[43:24] Correct facilities you'll see
County facilities is done.
[43:28] You have County
technology which was
[43:30] completed County
severance and then
[43:33] County disaster response team.
[43:36] And I'm going to go over the
accounts that have been changed.
[43:39] When this is all done, Carrie,
we're going to have one, 2,
[43:44] 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 reserve accounts.
[43:48] You'll have 5' 8.
[43:53] Were you counting.
[43:54] 910 10 OK.
[44:03] All right.
[44:05] All right.
[44:06] And so the State Auditor
refresh my memory.
[44:10] They approved the consolidation
of the reserve accounts,
[44:13] but they don't
approve the language.
[44:15] Correct That is correct.
[44:16] They're what they're
doing is they're seeing
[44:19] this is the change that
the commissioners would
[44:20] like to present.
[44:21] Does that align with their
statute statutes and whatever.
[44:27] Whatever's and.
[44:30] Then if they approve based
on what we're presenting,
[44:33] they send it back
to us, and then you
[44:35] can tighten up that language.
[44:36] You can add your targets up
to those reserves as well.
[44:41] So we originally started with
how many reserve accounts.
[44:43] All in I think it was.
[44:45] 
[44:48] 44 accounts.
[44:49] All 44 accounts.
[44:51] We're going to go down to 10.
[44:53] Yes Do you need a motion to
on this for the State Auditor.
[45:03] No, because I have more
than I need to discuss.
[45:05] So changes that have been made.
[45:11] Talking with the finance
advisory committee.
[45:16] We have consolidated the grant
matching federal audit reserve
[45:22] and the economic development
reserve into one account
[45:28] that we're changing the
name to economic development
[45:31] and grant reserve.
[45:33] There is a large spreadsheet.
[45:36] You'll see that
it's in highlight.
[45:37] It's highlighted yellow.
[45:39] And we've updated the language.
[45:42] 
[45:45] The equipment service.
[45:49] Reserve equipment
services reserve.
[45:53] It was recommended to move
that into County technology
[45:57] reserve which already exists.
[46:01] And then with our Mc
restricted reserve,
[46:06] technology improvement inmate
reserve and capital reserve
[46:11] improvement that
was consolidated
[46:14] into the revitalization reserve.
[46:17] In addition, it was
recommended that we
[46:19] change the name of
the revitalization
[46:23] and recommended to rename it
Mc inmate housing cost reserve.
[46:29] The language also
was changed, revised
[46:32] to include some language
that was with the reserves
[46:36] that we closed.
[46:38] The Sheriff and the chief
also reviewed that language
[46:43] and made a good note to
include inmate medical on that.
[46:48] So you have that
language there as well.
[46:50] 
[46:53] Oh, and we also
updated our County
[46:56] disaster response language to
include emergency response.
[47:03] What about the proposed targets
that you've got on there.
[47:06] Can you comment on those.
[47:09] The proposed targets
for what was the grant
[47:14] matching federal audit which.
[47:18] We just combined pretty much
what was in the two accounts
[47:21] together and left
that as our target.
[47:24] No rhyme nor reason behind it.
[47:27] The disaster.
[47:29] They looked at the Finance
Committee, looked at what
[47:32] was in there right now,
and just said, well,
[47:33] why don't we put it in here.
[47:35] And then revitalization,
we just currently
[47:38] combined all the reserves that
we were closing into that one.
[47:43] And then we looked
at what our housing
[47:45] cost was and took a third of
that to make that our target.
[47:51] Do you think the County looking
back at the County and County
[47:54] disaster response, the
consolidation of those two,
[47:57] the $120,000 is sufficient.
[48:00] We're not adding severance
into County disaster response.
[48:03] We're not.
[48:04] No OK.
[48:04] But I think right now 120 is
for disaster, for disasters.
[48:10] That's pretty close to
what's in there anyways.
[48:12] And then the other.
[48:13] 
[48:16] The other thing I
want to bring up
[48:17] is there was a lot of discussion
around County severance,
[48:21] and how we should not
have that as a reserve
[48:23] any longer, as we are having
to go and ask for funds
[48:26] and maybe County
severance should become
[48:28] an expense line moving forward.
[48:33] Makes sense to me.
[48:35] May I make a comment.
[48:36] Sure Just so all
the commissioners we
[48:43] spent a little bit of our
organizational meeting
[48:47] looking at reserves.
[48:49] We spent the entire second
meeting working on reserves,
[48:55] and then we spent probably
half of the third meeting
[48:59] finalizing the reserves.
[49:02] And the advisory committee
had all of the paperwork
[49:05] that Carrie put together.
[49:07] And I'm not tooting
my own horn, but I
[49:11] think we were very productive
and had a good result when
[49:15] we were all done with that.
[49:17] Thank you.
[49:18] Thank you.
[49:19] Anything else on
the reserve account.
[49:20] So what's the next step.
[49:22] So if you agree
with the language,
[49:25] the next step is to really
send it to the auditors
[49:28] for their approval.
[49:30] I personally would
like you to take
[49:32] the auditors or state auditors.
[49:33] State auditors.
[49:34] State auditors.
[49:35] State auditors.
[49:36] I personally would
like you to table.
[49:38] That way, you have an
opportunity to review
[49:40] the language, make any changes.
[49:41] If you need, and then make a
formal decision on the 17th.
[49:45] I've already drafted a
letter to the State Auditor,
[49:48] so I'm ready to pull the
plug when you're ready.
[49:50] But I think I'd like
you guys to have
[49:52] an opportunity to
review and discuss
[49:54] and make changes if needed.
[49:57] Comments makes sense to me.
[50:01] I'm happy to see us
produce on filing.
[50:06] Yes thank you.
[50:09] At one of the meetings,
I know that you the group
[50:13] had spent some time on.
[50:14] It's mission statement charge.
[50:17] Is that something
that will be put
[50:18] forth before the
commissioners to approve.
[50:20] I'm happy to pull it up and
read it to if you want to hear
[50:23] what our mission statement is.
[50:24] Yeah, yeah, I think that
needs to be formalized.
[50:27] Approve or accept.
[50:28] Yeah, I don't but
I would like to see
[50:34] I would like to see
on the website that
[50:37] approved or accepted
mission statement
[50:39] and a list of the members.
[50:41] And if they're
from the community,
[50:42] what town they're from, and
then if they're from the County
[50:46] staff, what their role is, just
so that we can have that up
[50:50] and people can know
that that's ongoing.
[50:53] Sure noted.
[50:54] Anything else on whoever the
contact like the single point
[50:58] of contact should be if
someone in the community
[51:00] has an inquiry around the
finance advisory committee.
[51:03] County treasurer.
[51:05] Sounds good.
[51:08] What else.
[51:08] Do you have anything
else on that topic.
[51:10] I'm just going to read
that mission statement.
[51:12] I'm just sitting
there right now.
[51:13] Hold on.
[51:13] Thank you.
[51:14] 
[51:22] So we called it a purpose.
[51:24] We didn't call it a
mission statement.
[51:25] 
[51:35] The purpose of the
finance advisory committee
[51:38] is to provide advice and
recommendations to the Waldo
[51:41] County commissioners regarding
County reserve funds,
[51:44] including appropriate reserve
targets and opportunities
[51:47] for account consolidation and
other financial matters referred
[51:52] to the committee for review.
[51:53] The committee will review
the county's budget process,
[51:56] reserves and other
financial information
[51:58] and provide recommendations
to improve transparency,
[52:01] strengthen long term
financial planning,
[52:04] and support sound
financial decision making.
[52:08] Thank you.
[52:10] Maybe that could just
be emailed to us.
[52:12] Sure, I'd like to
sit a little longer,
[52:13] but thank you so much for that.
[52:17] I want to say that.
[52:20] The four community
members Vicki.
[52:24] Ugly with no.
[52:25] Northport Randy
place with Murrell.
[52:28] James gillway with searsport.
[52:31] Thank you.
[52:32] And Tammy Higgins from Stockton
springs have been incredible.
[52:37] They have been very devoted.
[52:39] We're stay focused.
[52:42] We're on target.
[52:43] And I will say that this Friday
we are going up to the jail
[52:49] and having our meeting up there.
[52:50] They're being given a tour.
[52:52] They've started having they
started reviewing budget,
[52:56] and they met with the Sheriff
and the chief last Friday
[53:00] and started going over their
budget, asking questions,
[53:03] clarification, and they'll be
doing the same with the jail.
[53:07] So I'm excited to see
what Friday brings.
[53:09] That's great.
[53:10] Thank you.
[53:10] Yes next.
[53:12] The only other thing finance
related is I have my once.
[53:17] 
[53:26] The first one is an opioid
warrant 0 funding motion.
[53:33] I'll second question.
[53:37] So have we released any of the
opioid funds that were approved
[53:40] on the initial grant awards.
[53:43] The only thing that we
have awarded and sent
[53:47] a check was for R3 for 36,500.
[53:52] OK, so was that.
[53:55] In the prior warrant,
that was three warrants.
[53:59] I believe that was 716.
[54:01] OK got it.
[54:02] Thank you very much.
[54:05] Any discussion.
[54:06] Call the question.
[54:07] All those in favor.
[54:08] Motion passes.
[54:08] Thank you.
[54:09] 
[54:18] It's been reduced to
just initials, I think.
[54:20] Tim has to thank you.
[54:24] The County accounts
payable for three.
[54:29] Sorry for nine
326 is $40,998.39.
[54:36] That's 40998.39.
[54:40] Payroll for 824
was 197,008 2255.
[54:45] That's 197822.55.
[54:49] A grand total of $238,820.94.
[54:55] That's 238820.94.
[55:02] I move we approve the County
warrant for September three
[55:06] in the amount of $238,820.94.
[55:10] So first, second discussion
within that $40,998.39.
[55:17] Is that routine.
[55:19] Or since we passed that
motion for anything
[55:22] greater than $1,000, this
is all routine or routine.
[55:28] Yeah OK.
[55:29] There's nothing that stands out.
[55:32] All right.
[55:34] I'll call the question.
[55:35] All those in favor.
[55:36] Motion carries unanimously.
[55:37] Thank you.
[55:38] Jail OK.
[55:55] The jail warrant for
9 three is 56,799.
[56:02] 35 payroll for 824 was 57,000
to 85 a grand total of $84.75.
[56:13] That's 114084.75.
[56:17] We approve the jail warrant
of $114,084.75 for 9 three.
[56:22] Second first.
[56:23] Second discussion.
[56:25] Same question on the AP.
[56:26] Same thing.
[56:27] Same thing.
[56:28] Thank you.
[56:29] Call the question.
[56:29] All those in favor.
[56:31] Motion motion
carries unanimously.
[56:32] Thank you.
[56:33] 
[56:38] Thank you.
[56:40] OK OK.
[56:41] Thank you.
[56:43] That is all I have for finance.
[56:45] County clerk.
[56:45] 
[57:04] Excuse me.
[57:04] 
[57:10] All right.
[57:11] 
[57:15] As part of the report.
[57:19] I gave you a little packet of.
[57:22] And I know you're going
to talk about it later.
[57:23] So we can hold off
if you would like.
[57:25] And this is the old business
related to opioid contracts.
[57:30] So I can hold off
on that if you wish.
[57:34] And you wish to discuss
that by yourselves.
[57:36] I just want to make
sure we'll hold on that.
[57:38] Great thank you.
[57:40] Then would you let me.
[57:42] I think we can accomplish quite
a little bit of discussion
[57:46] just by going through the
budget that I tried to update
[57:49] for you folks based on your
request to make reductions
[57:53] where we thought possible.
[57:54] But of course, this
is your budget,
[57:56] and you folks can absolutely
decide what you want to do.
[58:00] That's also in front of you.
[58:03] You had already made reductions.
[58:05] You can see those under
the commissioner requested.
[58:10] As you look down.
[58:12] But I highlighted the additional
ones that I thought we could
[58:15] live without for another year.
[58:17] One thing to be in
full disclosure.
[58:20] Equipment repairs and leases.
[58:22] I had not realized at the time
that funding is being cared
[58:28] for under the information
technology budget
[58:30] so that was because of the it
shouldn't have been in there.
[58:33] Printer copier program.
[58:35] Yep correct.
[58:36] I didn't know that at the time.
[58:37] So that's why that was
removed and zeroed out.
[58:42] Also, could you Barb on
that line for equipment
[58:46] repairs leases.
[58:48] Can you change the budget.
[58:50] Notes to copier has
been moved to the.
[58:54] It moved.
[58:55] Sure department it.
[58:57] Budget thank you.
[58:58] Yes and then with
brief discussion
[59:04] with Commissioner Pinkham.
[59:06] We had some ideas about not
necessarily spending money.
[59:10] If we can avoid it on
the County bicentennial,
[59:13] come up with some other ideas.
[59:15] I have been trying
to look for grants.
[59:18] We missed the window
in 2026 and by grants.
[59:21] I guess I'm still thinking
maybe we could have
[59:24] some kind of a banner
hanging on a building,
[59:26] but that is entirely
up to you, folks.
[59:28] But that was the thought
process behind that reduction.
[59:34] And then moving on
to office supplies.
[59:37] Can you make the same note.
[59:38] Move to it.
[59:39] Budget for $2,000.
[59:44] It was a yeah,
whatever the amount is.
[59:47] Oh, wait a minute.
[59:48] What supplies you need to
change the description.
[59:52] Do you think is toner
still included in there.
[59:55] No and that's why if you look
over in notes, I struck it out.
[59:59] All right.
[1:00:02] But OK.
[1:00:05] So you're down in office supply.
[1:00:06] So anyway, looking at our
history, looking at last year,
[1:00:09] I'm going to do my
best to keep it low.
[1:00:11] So I dropped another
100 from that.
[1:00:15] And then after again,
thinking about it
[1:00:18] we'll just keep the chairs if
that's what you want to do.
[1:00:22] And for another year and
do that another time.
[1:00:25] So those are my thoughts.
[1:00:27] Please feel free to.
[1:00:28] 
[1:00:30] So let's go back up to the
liability insurance you actually
[1:00:36] received in writing a quote.
[1:00:38] The increase that
will be probably
[1:00:42] end of September, early October.
[1:00:43] But that was the
estimate provided
[1:00:45] by Malcolm Ulmer estimate.
[1:00:47] He usually estimates high.
[1:00:49] So far we've never
gone over his estimate.
[1:00:51] Usually we're under.
[1:00:53] So I'm hopeful.
[1:00:53] When we get that estimate.
[1:00:57] And it's during the
Budget Committee process.
[1:00:59] Do we alter it during that.
[1:01:01] OK, great.
[1:01:02] Yep one question I had was where
we've done a number of union
[1:01:08] negotiations this year.
[1:01:10] Is there money we can take
out of legal services on union
[1:01:15] contract negotiations
for next year,
[1:01:17] since there won't
be as many to do.
[1:01:20] Is there any union
contracts come up next year.
[1:01:23] No, no we don't.
[1:01:27] I think we have one.
[1:01:29] One is what I thought.
[1:01:31] But there were how
many this year three.
[1:01:33] So in my mind, and I
know they're probably
[1:01:36] not all created equal in terms
of what we end up spending.
[1:01:42] I will come.
[1:01:42] Can I get back to you
on how many we have.
[1:01:44] Or if you want me to
step out for a second,
[1:01:46] I can quickly look at the covers
because we have the years.
[1:01:49] I don't think we have any union.
[1:01:50] I'll be right back.
[1:01:51] So this goes until 28.
[1:01:58] It just got.
[1:01:59] It just got ratified in 24.
[1:02:01] It's a three year contract,
so that would go 25.
[1:02:04] It was ratified in.
[1:02:05] You're right.
[1:02:06] I'm sorry.
[1:02:07] You're right.
[1:02:08] Yeah OK.
[1:02:09] 
[1:02:14] The deputies ends in 2027.
[1:02:18] Yeah and the.
[1:02:22] There's two.
[1:02:23] 
[1:02:27] And then the communications.
[1:02:29] For some reason I'm
having trouble doing that.
[1:02:31] Starts in 2027.
[1:02:32] So, yeah, I think we
only have the one.
[1:02:34] We got one.
[1:02:35] 
[1:02:39] Two ended in 2026.
[1:02:40] And then one had dragged.
[1:02:42] I think so yes.
[1:02:45] It's a reduction for sure.
[1:02:47] Does that come out of our
professional services line item
[1:02:52] if we use it.
[1:02:53] Attorney yes.
[1:02:55] Part of that also comes
out of HR 2, doesn't it.
[1:02:58] Don't we split it.
[1:02:59] If a grievance is
involved, just grievance.
[1:03:04] Yeah, I'm thinking
of just the cost
[1:03:05] of having our representative
at the table with us
[1:03:11] during those meetings and the
Bills that we get for that.
[1:03:14] I will say that is not the
only thing that happens
[1:03:17] for legal with commissioners.
[1:03:19] Sometimes there are questions
that come up that are no, I'm
[1:03:23] just we don't have a breakdown.
[1:03:27] A good question.
[1:03:27] Yeah, it's a good
thought because I think
[1:03:31] the last week bill we got from.
[1:03:32] Was it Bernstein Sure Bernstein
Shur was for over $3,000.
[1:03:38] And I don't know how
many sit down meetings.
[1:03:40] I can't recall how
many that covered.
[1:03:42] But if we're going to have
fewer of those next year,
[1:03:44] that's a good chunk of money
that we could potentially
[1:03:46] take out of that line item
assuming it was a lot of phone
[1:03:50] calls to not just
meeting, but yes,
[1:03:52] communication back and forth.
[1:03:53] And yes, the HR director
and I sit down together
[1:03:56] and look at the Bills and try to
figure out which ones were more
[1:04:01] HR related, driven
grievances or what have you
[1:04:04] or and which are
commissioner driven.
[1:04:08] So we split them up carefully.
[1:04:10] OK I don't what do you
think's a good idea moving
[1:04:14] forward for finalizing that.
[1:04:18] He went up on his rate.
[1:04:20] Maybe it's a good idea to look
at the history for the last 10
[1:04:25] years and/or five years or.
[1:04:29] Well, no, I would just.
[1:04:30] Maybe just to the thought of
whatever contract is coming up
[1:04:34] next year, could we see
how many hours would
[1:04:38] we have the invoices
to be able to see
[1:04:40] how many hours of
negotiation and support
[1:04:42] we needed based
on that contract.
[1:04:44] We'll revisit.
[1:04:45] We'll take a look
at the invoices.
[1:04:47] Thank you.
[1:04:47] I keep them for six years.
[1:04:52] I wouldn't touch it.
[1:04:54] I leave it the same.
[1:04:56] 
[1:05:00] Let's see if we'll take a look.
[1:05:02] See if we can do
some cost accounting.
[1:05:03] But I tend to agree
with Tim on that one.
[1:05:06] Now, when you look at what
you expended in 2025 and 2026.
[1:05:13] And I can go back.
[1:05:15] We can look at previous
years if you'd like.
[1:05:17] That wouldn't be hard.
[1:05:20] I see us in 27
spending a lot of time
[1:05:24] if the unions don't get
all of what they want,
[1:05:28] having more
conversations with legal.
[1:05:30] 
[1:05:37] So overall then we're
looking for the commissioners
[1:05:43] budget increases
of 7.8% Anybody see
[1:06:09] anything else on this budget.
[1:06:11] 
[1:06:18] Dues we.
[1:06:19] That was a firm on dues.
[1:06:21] Barb yes.
[1:06:23] Dues was a firm cost
increase as far as I know.
[1:06:27] Yes if and again if we
get different information
[1:06:31] along the way, I always bring
it up because any reduction
[1:06:34] is a good reduction.
[1:06:37] But as far as those are the
anticipated amounts of the dues.
[1:06:45] The one that might
be in question
[1:06:46] is the one related to mcca,
because I think some of that's
[1:06:52] based on the
liability insurance.
[1:06:56] So that might change for
miles, meals and lodging.
[1:07:00] Just as an example,
it was offered to me.
[1:07:02] I wasn't able to make
it work schedule wise,
[1:07:04] schedule wise, to go to the
main county's convention.
[1:07:08] And I could have had
a hotel room paid for
[1:07:10] and that sort of thing
through those line items.
[1:07:14] If we know that a
commissioner is not
[1:07:16] even if I were to say if I
were to attend that next year,
[1:07:20] I wouldn't ask for that.
[1:07:22] Does that give us any wiggle
room in those we would
[1:07:26] need to know now in order to.
[1:07:27] Is that what you're saying.
[1:07:28] Could we reduce
that item if I said,
[1:07:29] I'm never going to ask you
for a hotel room in 2027?
[1:07:33] Yes if I go, I'll
consider it my own thing.
[1:07:36] I'd be OK with doing that.
[1:07:39] But I also it's an
uncomfortable thing
[1:07:41] because it's an
individual choice
[1:07:43] A person can make, not
something that we as a board
[1:07:45] agree to with fairness.
[1:07:47] And sometimes you don't know
what opportunities come up
[1:07:49] that are great for
new commissioners
[1:07:51] to be able to attend, I know
that Kerry and I are going.
[1:07:56] We're riding together.
[1:07:58] We are not staying.
[1:07:59] Yeah so we understand
and we try to do what
[1:08:02] we can to learn what
we can, but at the most
[1:08:07] reduced cost as possible.
[1:08:10] Barb, on the percentage
change column,
[1:08:13] I think you need to take a
look at those percentages.
[1:08:16] Some are positive and
they should be negative.
[1:08:20] Just take a look at
the formulas on that.
[1:08:24] Just recheck those.
[1:08:25] OK we'll do.
[1:08:27] 
[1:08:31] Because I think
that 10.89% there.
[1:08:35] Well that's a change
that I'm getting 7.8.
[1:08:39] But OK.
[1:08:40] Just check your percentages.
[1:08:42] Absolutely I don't know maybe we
reduce the lodging down to 1,300
[1:08:48] or something like that.
[1:08:50] Given what I just said.
[1:08:53] Where are you.
[1:08:53] Where are you at.
[1:08:54] Lodging is line 11 right now.
[1:08:57] It's at 15.
[1:08:57] 20 I can usually find a
acquaintance or a family member
[1:09:06] in the neighborhood of
wherever we might go.
[1:09:09] If I need a couch.
[1:09:10] Can you adopt me then.
[1:09:12] Like, remember me from
college 20 years ago.
[1:09:16] 
[1:09:20] So if you just take that
lodging line at 15, 20,
[1:09:23] and I just want to round
it for whatever reason,
[1:09:27] 250 a night at o'clock
point, basically 6.1 nights.
[1:09:32] 
[1:09:41] I think it's four nights.
[1:09:44] You want to drop it.
[1:09:45] Yeah why don't we just do 1,000.
[1:09:48] You good with 1,000.
[1:09:51] I mean, you and I haven't
really done anything, but.
[1:09:53] Yeah, I. OK $1,000.
[1:09:58] Drop it to 1,000.
[1:10:13] Anything else.
[1:10:15] Just that we have to
remember these things.
[1:10:17] When the Budget Committee says,
can you do fewer hotel stays.
[1:10:20] Like we already did that.
[1:10:22] I'm keeping my old spreadsheets
because the notes are on it.
[1:10:26] Yep all right.
[1:10:27] So we know during
the budget process
[1:10:31] that line 13
liability insurance,
[1:10:35] we update as we
receive hard quotes.
[1:10:39] Anything else.
[1:10:40] Updates any other updates
you get during the cycle.
[1:10:48] Or is everything
pretty much locked.
[1:10:50] Usually it comes to the
liability insurance always comes
[1:10:55] in after we start
the budget process,
[1:10:57] and dues are sometimes
connected to that.
[1:10:59] So those are the
two that can change.
[1:11:01] And so we're going to take
a look at the invoices.
[1:11:03] Go back on professional
services just
[1:11:05] to see if we can
see a trend there
[1:11:07] and do some cost accounting
on that liability insurance.
[1:11:10] Awaiting on the update.
[1:11:11] 
[1:11:19] I don't see anything
else from you guys
[1:11:21] and revisit the percentages.
[1:11:24] Yes thank you for the
sacrifice on the chairs.
[1:11:27] If one of these
chairs goes down,
[1:11:29] I'll bring one from my office.
[1:11:31] I just hope a person isn't
in it when it goes down.
[1:11:34] We understand.
[1:11:35] I brought one from
home for in there.
[1:11:37] So it's all good.
[1:11:38] All right.
[1:11:43] What else do you have.
[1:11:45] Can we go back to the
minutes, just for a second.
[1:11:49] Do you.
[1:11:50] How do you want to handle
that tax abatement appeal.
[1:11:54] That was done.
[1:11:54] And I know none of you
were here, so I can't
[1:11:58] remember why we were here.
[1:12:00] Oh I'm sorry.
[1:12:01] You asked.
[1:12:02] Correct I don't know
if that was voted on.
[1:12:04] I think that was Brooks.
[1:12:08] Yes Brooks.
[1:12:09] Yeah, we already voted on that.
[1:12:10] OK no, it's the approval
of the minutes for that.
[1:12:12] Yes that didn't get approved.
[1:12:14] And we've been waiting for
when because I can't vote
[1:12:16] on that because I.
You can abstain Yeah
[1:12:19] Have you read those minutes.
[1:12:21] Have you seen.
[1:12:21] I thought we already
approved them.
[1:12:23] I didn't think you did.
[1:12:24] I thought your motion,
please correct me, was for.
[1:12:26] The motion was for 16.
[1:12:30] 16 Yeah, but have we seen
the minutes for Brooks.
[1:12:33] The 220, 25 before.
[1:12:34] I sent them to you.
[1:12:35] Twice yeah.
[1:12:36] You did.
[1:12:37] Yep emailed them.
[1:12:38] Just put it on the
agenda for the 17,
[1:12:40] and Tim and I will vote
on that separately.
[1:12:43] I'll have to hunt for them.
[1:12:47] So that's 917.
[1:12:49] All right.
[1:12:49] Very good.
[1:12:50] Would you I'm going to just
hand since they are printed,
[1:12:53] I'm going to give you the
minutes if it's OK with you
[1:12:55] from August 6.
[1:12:56] And I apologize for
not sending them.
[1:12:59] Sometimes I lose track of
these things when I'm not.
[1:13:01] So August 6 will go on.
[1:13:03] Yes 917.
[1:13:05] Yes thank you.
[1:13:06] OK thank you.
[1:13:09] And nice format.
[1:13:12] Thank you.
[1:13:14] That would be Danielle.
[1:13:15] She is working
really hard at that.
[1:13:17] 
[1:13:20] Let's see what else
I have for you.
[1:13:22] 
[1:13:27] I think that is it
for my part of things.
[1:13:30] Tracy did ask me to present a
couple of things to you folks.
[1:13:35] Knows that for.
[1:13:36] That's for the human
resources report,
[1:13:38] and that is that an
executive session 1 will.
[1:13:40] The tail end will be and
I'm not presenting that.
[1:13:43] I'm to hand the folder
to you and walk away.
[1:13:45] So what does Tracy what are you
going to record things for you.
[1:13:50] She has put together a
draft technology policy.
[1:13:55] May I get that to you.
[1:13:57] Yeah sorry.
[1:14:02] Thank you.
[1:14:03] Yes so this is.
[1:14:06] This is the technology policy.
[1:14:08] She did not expect you to make
any decisions on it today,
[1:14:11] but wanted you to have it.
[1:14:13] All right.
[1:14:14] So we're going to
table this tonight.
[1:14:15] I've read through I had some
questions about some of it,
[1:14:18] but I had asked
about an AI policy
[1:14:21] because I had heard
in various reports
[1:14:25] from department heads
about casual, just usage
[1:14:28] of like ChatGPT and
things like that,
[1:14:30] and wanted to make
sure that in my job,
[1:14:32] how I use AI is really regulated
because of private information.
[1:14:36] I want to make sure that
we had it written down
[1:14:38] in our handbook that basically
to protect people in the County
[1:14:44] from using AI and
putting into it
[1:14:45] information that we
don't want put into.
[1:14:48] Good point.
[1:14:48] Yeah very good point.
[1:14:50] And just at the
first read through,
[1:14:53] I thought this
looked really good.
[1:14:55] And I love the part that
said like about that.
[1:15:00] It shouldn't be a
replacement for face
[1:15:02] to face and human
interaction that that's
[1:15:04] something that we value.
[1:15:07] Oh OK.
[1:15:08] So table this until 917.
[1:15:12] And I'm not going to use AI
to double check section five.
[1:15:19] Just so for the record.
[1:15:20] Yeah the other thing that's
in there that's important
[1:15:22] is check your work.
[1:15:25] Yes What else do
you have for Tracy.
[1:15:27] I believe she
presented the detective
[1:15:29] job description to you.
[1:15:31] Yes she did.
[1:15:31] And also the
emergency Management
[1:15:34] Agency communications
technician,
[1:15:36] and there were some edits.
[1:15:39] She gave me one copy
of each, and she
[1:15:43] was hoping you would
approve them because she
[1:15:44] did make those edits.
[1:15:46] I'm going to give them to you.
[1:15:47] OK good job.
[1:15:49] The titles were
EMA communications.
[1:15:53] And is this the pronunciation
struggle we had.
[1:15:58] Could very well be.
[1:16:02] And the only other thing
I'm going to hand to you
[1:16:04] is that she.
[1:16:06] There's a note on it.
[1:16:07] She said keep the original,
so please do that.
[1:16:11] So I'm supposed to keep
someone's supposed to keep the.
[1:16:14] Oh, that's an executive.
[1:16:15] OK yes it is.
[1:16:16] All right is I move.
[1:16:18] We approve the
emergency Management
[1:16:20] Agency communications technician
update as of eight 2026.
[1:16:26] And the detective job
description as of 8, 7, 726.
[1:16:33] First second.
[1:16:33] Any more discussion.
[1:16:34] Hearing none.
[1:16:35] All those in favor.
[1:16:35] Motion carries.
[1:16:37] That's all.
[1:16:47] That's all I have for you.
[1:16:48] 
[1:17:10] Do you want to hand these
people so we don't lose them.
[1:17:16] Thank you.
[1:17:18] Thank you very much, Kobe.
[1:17:19] That's it for air.
[1:17:21] It is.
[1:17:21] All right then we have.
[1:17:24] So we need to go to executive
session for an HR issue.
[1:17:28] It's Mrs. Subchapter 14056a.
[1:17:32] And let me know when
we're off record.
[1:17:34] 
[1:17:44] You can stay on.
[1:17:45] 
[1:17:47] Thank you.
[1:17:48] 
[1:18:28] First yes.
[1:18:30] OK thanks, Mark.
[1:18:32] 
[1:18:37] Thank you.
[1:18:40] Oh good catch.
[1:18:41] Yeah so this is Waldo
County commissioners
[1:18:45] court session, September three.
[1:18:47] We are back in session, and
we have some action to take.
[1:18:52] I move that we
approve the offer.
[1:18:55] The letter of offer
of employment,
[1:18:57] retroactive June 4, 2026 for
employment with the County
[1:19:00] of Waldo.
[1:19:01] First do I have a second.
[1:19:02] Second I have a second.
[1:19:03] Any more discussion.
[1:19:05] Hearing none.
[1:19:05] All those in favor.
[1:19:06] Motion is unanimous.
[1:19:10] Next who handed this to me.
[1:19:15] Barb Barb.
[1:19:16] Filling in for Tracy.
[1:19:17] Yeah next on the agenda.
[1:19:19] Do you need me to
take that back to her.
[1:19:21] Is the opioid contracts
the first one.
[1:19:25] Let's just go to the first one.
[1:19:26] There's been a change in the
situation with the grant package
[1:19:33] that was submitted by
Tennessee holistic health,
[1:19:38] and we need to rescind that
motion to approve that grant.
[1:19:44] I think they lost one of
their backers out in Sears.
[1:19:51] In searsmont.
[1:19:52] And so they don't
have the property that
[1:19:55] was involved in that grant.
[1:19:57] So we need a motion.
[1:19:58] I'll put the motion
on the table.
[1:20:00] Motion to rescind the grant
to panacea holistic health
[1:20:05] under the opioid funding.
[1:20:07] Second oh I have a first.
[1:20:09] I have a second.
[1:20:10] Any more discussion
hearing none call
[1:20:11] the question motion carries OK.
[1:20:14] Next one is I know we approved
this grant is just a formality.
[1:20:19] Now is motion to approve the
contract for Brooks ambulance
[1:20:24] company between the
County of Waldo and Brooks
[1:20:26] ambulance for contract
periods August 1, 2026
[1:20:29] through July 31, 2027.
[1:20:32] In the contract
amount of 50,000,
[1:20:35] contract number is WC
0 a or yeah 0 a 2026
[1:20:43] Brooks ambulance dash 0 one.
[1:20:46] Do I have a motion
to approve motion.
[1:20:48] I have it first, second.
[1:20:50] All those in favor.
[1:20:52] Motion carries unanimous.
[1:20:53] 
[1:20:59] Agreement may I ask a question.
[1:21:04] Sure Do you want
me to pay them now,
[1:21:06] or do you want me to wait until
the 17th to present the warrant.
[1:21:12] What's the reason for
the two different dates.
[1:21:15] Oh, I couldn't hear you.
[1:21:16] Oh I'm sorry.
[1:21:17] Do you want me to
pay them today,
[1:21:19] or do you want me to
wait till the 17th
[1:21:21] when I present the warrant.
[1:21:22] Present the warrant.
[1:21:23] 17th did you.
[1:21:25] 17th yeah.
[1:21:26] OK thank you.
[1:21:28] Next one.
[1:21:30] So that contract.
[1:21:31] I think you get this one.
[1:21:33] Yes next one is contract between
the County of Washoe and DOA.
[1:21:37] 
[1:21:40] Northern New England contract
period August 1, 2026
[1:21:44] through July 31, 2027.
[1:21:47] Contract amount is $91,500.00.
[1:21:50] Contract number is WC 0 a
tac 2026 tac VOA tac 0 one.
[1:21:58] Motion to approve.
[1:22:00] So moved.
[1:22:01] I have a first.
[1:22:01] I have a second.
[1:22:02] Second discussion.
[1:22:03] Discussion what's the increased
amount from last year.
[1:22:09] This is under the opioid
agreement, I believe.
[1:22:14] Yes it is.
[1:22:15] It's under the opioid agreement.
[1:22:16] So it's under that the
grants for the opioid.
[1:22:22] Another point of discussion.
[1:22:25] Does that answer your question.
[1:22:26] Yeah another point
of discussion.
[1:22:28] If it's just a little concern,
I know in the scope of work
[1:22:38] that they have 50 to 40 to
50 unduplicated individuals
[1:22:41] annually.
[1:22:42] If you divide 50 into
2000, that's 41.6 patients.
[1:22:50] I think that number is low.
[1:22:52] And hopefully they'll
reach out to more
[1:22:54] individuals in that case.
[1:22:55] But I know the
nature of the beast.
[1:22:57] Sometimes you have
multiple appointments
[1:22:59] and that does take
up additional time.
[1:23:01] So yes.
[1:23:03] But isn't that based
off of our population.
[1:23:05] Yes so I mean,
potentially it could
[1:23:09] be more it could be a lot more.
[1:23:11] And they're going
to do the reporting.
[1:23:12] It's an individual and they're
going to do the reporting.
[1:23:14] So was this for I'm sorry I'm
trying to remember if this was
[1:23:17] a position that's
starting now, or if it's
[1:23:19] meant to be starting in 2027.
[1:23:22] I'm just thinking in terms of
timing of paying and reducing
[1:23:25] our reliance on the TAM.
[1:23:26] If I remember correctly,
they're looking to FTE
[1:23:29] and we're starting that
process once this was approved.
[1:23:32] Does that answer your question.
[1:23:34] Yeah OK.
[1:23:35] I'd like to just pay
that as late as possible.
[1:23:39] That discussion was that
they would be paid quarterly
[1:23:42] based on reportings
reports that they gave,
[1:23:45] which is outlined how
they are to report
[1:23:48] to us in one payment
is in the contract
[1:23:50] that you're signing
first payment.
[1:23:52] They're not even
getting a first payment.
[1:23:54] They have to pay us the
report and then the.
[1:23:57] And then they get paid.
[1:23:58] Great yes.
[1:23:59] Thank you.
[1:24:00] Any more discussion.
[1:24:02] Hearing none.
[1:24:03] Call the question.
[1:24:03] All those in favor.
[1:24:04] Motion carries unanimously.
[1:24:06] Thank you.
[1:24:07] Commissioners, I
realize it still
[1:24:09] says draft on both of those.
[1:24:11] Oh, you want to take it off.
[1:24:12] I'm printing them off right now.
[1:24:13] All right.
[1:24:13] Print it off now.
[1:24:15] Yeah, we'll wait a little bit.
[1:24:17] 
[1:24:21] Good catch.
[1:24:22] 
[1:24:28] Go get those.
[1:24:29] I'll be right back Mr.
Chairman, may I ask a question
[1:24:36] No May I approach with the
original draft on them.
[1:25:06] Thank you.
[1:25:07] So we got a clean copy.
[1:25:08] Yes thank you.
[1:25:11] Thank you.
[1:25:13] That's OK.
[1:25:14] All right.
[1:25:15] 
[1:25:36] There's two.
[1:25:36] You got them.
[1:25:37] Thank you very much.
[1:25:39] All originals
suitable for framing.
[1:25:43] Thank you.
[1:25:45] That's it.
[1:25:45] On the contracts.
[1:25:47] Next old business is further
discussion of the 2027 budget.
[1:25:52] What do we have.
[1:25:53] 
[1:26:01] I don't know where you'd like
to begin, but I have some items.
[1:26:06] One is last year we used opioid
settlement funds to help fund
[1:26:14] medically assisted treatment.
[1:26:17] And I wondered if we were
going to be requesting
[1:26:19] that from the opioid committee.
[1:26:21] It also, I'm seeing that the
opioid committee is doling out
[1:26:25] 50,000 less than
it thought it would
[1:26:27] be this year
because of the issue
[1:26:29] with panacea holistic health.
[1:26:32] And so perhaps that
might be an opportunity
[1:26:34] to ask the opioid
committee if they would
[1:26:36] support mat in this budget.
[1:26:42] It also that question
in general speaks to.
[1:26:45] 
[1:26:48] Concern I have
around what revenues
[1:26:52] we include as part of
the budgeting process
[1:26:56] and what ones are at the
purview of the commissioners
[1:27:00] after the budget process.
[1:27:03] Some of these revenues,
like opioid funds,
[1:27:07] and I think it was the
revitalization fund that got put
[1:27:10] toward the jail seemed to be
handled in a different way
[1:27:15] than revenue in general.
[1:27:18] Let's back up to
the first question.
[1:27:19] Yeah you had
multiple parts to it.
[1:27:22] Opioid funds.
[1:27:23] I know last year that we reduce
correct me if I'm wrong, Carrie,
[1:27:28] that we reduced the
medical line by $100,000
[1:27:31] because we're going to
use $100,000 of the opioid
[1:27:36] to subsidize that line item.
[1:27:40] How are we doing right now.
[1:27:42] What's the Department number 10.
[1:27:44] What for.
[1:27:46] Jail 10.
[1:27:47] 1010 sorry.
[1:27:48] 1050 should be in the book
unless you put it in order.
[1:27:52] 
[1:27:55] How are we.
[1:27:56] How is the invoices doing
on the medical line.
[1:27:59] I know that medical line
includes the medical
[1:28:04] for the 72 hour hold.
[1:28:06] And it also includes
the Somerset jail.
[1:28:09] And we've had some on expected
expenses in that line.
[1:28:15] I know we had to do.
[1:28:18] We've had a couple of medical
issues over in our 72 hour hold.
[1:28:21] One 72 hour hold and the
other one is in Somerset.
[1:28:26] It was greater than six
hours, and after six hours,
[1:28:29] then we have to
provide a corrections
[1:28:30] officer to sit with the inmate
or resident in the hospital.
[1:28:37] So I have not seen any
invoices with those situations
[1:28:44] come across my desk yet.
[1:28:47] So we've got some
wild cards there.
[1:28:49] 
[1:28:53] So what's our current expense
that we know for sure.
[1:28:59] I'm looking that up right now.
[1:29:02] If you get the most current year
to date expense in percentage.
[1:29:07] 
[1:29:11] I'll have to.
[1:29:11] 
[1:29:17] Try to take one
question at a time.
[1:29:19] Thank you.
[1:29:20] 
[1:29:22] So as of right now, we
have spent $220,387.16.
[1:29:36] Say that again.
[1:29:37] 220 220,387 16.
[1:29:46] That's up almost
100,000 since mid-year.
[1:29:49] Number that's amazing.
[1:29:52] 
[1:29:56] Yeah we pay mapped
out of that line.
[1:30:01] And that ranges
anywhere from let's see.
[1:30:04] The low has been 20,000.
[1:30:06] The high has been 38,000 a year.
[1:30:12] No so this is the first time
we're doing this Matt invoice.
[1:30:16] Oh from Somerset.
[1:30:18] So how often do we
get the invoice.
[1:30:20] Monthly monthly.
[1:30:21] I was like that's.
[1:30:22] Yeah and I feel like.
[1:30:28] So that's mostly Matt.
[1:30:32] That's what that sounds like.
[1:30:33] Yes right now.
[1:30:35] Yeah they reduce I know the cost
of the subacute shot reduced
[1:30:42] briefly to 340B pricing.
[1:30:45] But then after meeting
with Matt Magnusson
[1:30:49] they lost that pricing.
[1:30:51] So I think it went back up.
[1:30:53] 
[1:30:57] So I of that $300,000 that we
thought were going to spend what
[1:31:04] we thought we were going
to spend $400 and we added
[1:31:06] hundreds of revenue to get.
[1:31:08] So we're at o'clock o'clock
o'clock, call it 220,
[1:31:10] $220,000 right now.
[1:31:13] But we've got a couple
invoices out there for sure
[1:31:16] that you haven't seen.
[1:31:17] Yeah and you still have.
[1:31:22] What month are we in.
[1:31:22] September you still have
September, October, November,
[1:31:25] December of not coming in.
[1:31:27] But again, it's 400,000.
[1:31:29] Really and that's why
my second question
[1:31:31] is there because I
question us using
[1:31:34] revenue to reduce budget items.
[1:31:37] Because it's not actually we
budgeted 400,000 for that.
[1:31:41] We didn't budget 300,000.
[1:31:42] We budgeted 400.
[1:31:43] And then we found revenue.
[1:31:45] And we've had department heads
come back at us this year
[1:31:47] and say, hey, look, my budget
numbers are out of whack
[1:31:50] because of this revenue.
[1:31:51] Are you saying there's a cliff.
[1:31:53] Yeah, well, we talked
about the cliff,
[1:31:55] but I'm in favor of using
that money for Matt.
[1:31:59] I'm just talking about the
way we organize is right.
[1:32:04] But we should be using
some of it for math.
[1:32:06] Absolutely but then it
gets us back to the part.
[1:32:09] Are we doing stuff in
our community with it.
[1:32:11] I think we're trying.
[1:32:13] Yeah we're trying to do both.
[1:32:16] We're trying to do that and
the task force approach.
[1:32:20] But I'm saying when we have
our revenues, like from deeds
[1:32:23] or other things, I think
that we should include
[1:32:28] these types of offsets
in that rather than
[1:32:31] in each department's budget.
[1:32:34] Oh, I like that idea.
[1:32:35] So that we're actually
seeing the budgeted
[1:32:37] expenses, not a number.
[1:32:41] Say that again.
[1:32:42] So in one thought, I have is
instead of taking our 400,000
[1:32:48] that we're budgeting
in two to 27
[1:32:50] and reducing that in the
budget, let's keep that 400,000.
[1:32:55] Let's add medically
assisted treatment,
[1:32:58] $100,000 from the opioid
committee into our revenue page.
[1:33:03] So if we're going to do it, for
one, are you going to do this.
[1:33:06] That's what I'm thinking.
[1:33:07] Yeah because then the
Department heads aren't
[1:33:09] getting cliffs in their budget.
[1:33:10] It's the purview of
the commissioners.
[1:33:12] That was stated many
times last year.
[1:33:14] Hundreds is revenue.
[1:33:15] Yeah OK.
[1:33:17] Because I think the
220 number is soft.
[1:33:21] I know for a fact
a hospital stay.
[1:33:23] And I know for a fact
ambulance Ed issue.
[1:33:27] I don't know if that turned
into a hospital stay or not.
[1:33:30] I have no idea what those
Bills are going to come in at.
[1:33:33] So I think that $300,000 that
we had in there taken off
[1:33:40] the table just for a second.
[1:33:41] The $100,000 opioid,
I think we're going
[1:33:44] to be over that line for sure.
[1:33:50] So 2 to 25 by 3.
[1:33:54] So we're at 73% right now.
[1:33:57] But that's the 300
and it's really a 400.
[1:34:01] It's a 400.
[1:34:02] Yeah so I don't
disagree with you,
[1:34:09] but this got brought
up back in 23 budget
[1:34:13] and it got a Budget
Committee got
[1:34:15] brought up again 24 before we
jumped on the commissioner and.
[1:34:22] I brought this up because we
charge when you have income
[1:34:27] coming in for inmate housing.
[1:34:29] You have income coming in
for patrol detailing you.
[1:34:32] Have money coming
in from forfeitures.
[1:34:35] You have money coming in
from all these departments.
[1:34:39] It's going to make
it look like that.
[1:34:40] We're making money on things.
[1:34:44] So if we're going
to do it with one,
[1:34:46] we got to do it
with all of them.
[1:34:48] That's a good point.
[1:34:50] And at the time, I'm not going
to throw other commissioners
[1:34:55] under the bus from Paris.
[1:34:57] It was explained to me that
money is put into a reserves
[1:35:03] account, and then they
offset and that but then
[1:35:07] reserve accounts aren't
really showed to us
[1:35:09] at that back in 23 and 24.
[1:35:11] So well then I don't.
[1:35:13] So I'm not disagreeing with
what you're saying at all.
[1:35:15] It's how do you put
it on the paper.
[1:35:18] Yeah and not make it look like
so it could be on this page
[1:35:22] rather than if it's
really specific to there
[1:35:26] is a revenue line item at the
bottom of the jail budget.
[1:35:28] That's the state revenue.
[1:35:30] Can we add a few more of those.
[1:35:31] That's funds.
[1:35:33] And then put in the notes
relates to line, blah blah,
[1:35:37] blah, blah blah,
because that's what
[1:35:38] we're trying to offset with it.
[1:35:39] Or opioid funds
relates to line item.
[1:35:42] So you're saying put another
add another line in there.
[1:35:44] Yeah revenue for opioids.
[1:35:46] Yep I would agree.
[1:35:47] And the same with the CTA
or the revitalization funds
[1:35:50] or anything.
[1:35:51] Essentially what
you're talking about
[1:35:52] is you're asking
to add the profit
[1:35:55] part to the law statement.
[1:35:57] Yeah, basically.
[1:35:58] And it could be the same
for if facilities is
[1:36:02] pulling from a reserve account.
[1:36:03] So to fund something
that they're doing
[1:36:05] and put that on the
bottom under revenues.
[1:36:08] I don't disagree with
you on this at all,
[1:36:10] because this is
where my mind would
[1:36:12] have went when we were
talking about doing
[1:36:14] communications contracts.
[1:36:17] But I also think that this
is no different than when
[1:36:19] we contract out our employees
to other facilities.
[1:36:23] We have to be
showing that income.
[1:36:25] So the revenue for the
school resource officer.
[1:36:29] That's something that's paid
for or the correction stuff,
[1:36:34] or when we do a contract
with another County
[1:36:36] to do their dispatching, or if
we're doing patrol details from,
[1:36:41] let's say, common
ground, I was using
[1:36:42] or whatever, we should be
showing if we're making money
[1:36:47] off of these and I can't
remember if and maybe Carrie,
[1:36:51] you can help me with this.
[1:36:51] As an example in the Sheriff's
budget, where school resource
[1:36:55] officers reimburse to us.
[1:36:57] That's typically so what
they do is they show
[1:37:01] that on their personnel page.
[1:37:03] Yep and then they list the
amount there in parentheses.
[1:37:08] And I think they put
reimbursable or it's now
[1:37:12] I will tell you that just
because we are reimbursed
[1:37:17] does not necessarily
mean that we get
[1:37:20] that in the same year that we.
[1:37:26] I think add the line to that
$100,000 is a clear paper trail.
[1:37:34] Where Brianna was
going because you
[1:37:37] have a projected revenue page.
[1:37:39] And I think that if you
add for all departments,
[1:37:42] you could add all of your
revenue into one spot
[1:37:46] and then you can
categorize what it's for.
[1:37:48] Not on the Department,
not on the Department.
[1:37:51] So I think except in the
case of the State funds,
[1:37:54] that's like AI think that
needs to be revisited as well.
[1:37:58] OK I like your
idea of saying, OK,
[1:38:01] this is the expense
all in to run this is
[1:38:05] what it costs to do business.
[1:38:07] And then you have that
revenue page that says, OK,
[1:38:10] we received this for revenue.
[1:38:14] This revenue is offsetting
the overall budget.
[1:38:17] So it matches up with
my tax assessment
[1:38:20] when I go to put that
document together.
[1:38:23] So here's the expense
for the County.
[1:38:25] Here's the expense for the jail.
[1:38:27] Here's the County revenue,
which includes all of this.
[1:38:30] And we list what are these
called the Department number
[1:38:34] Yeah What is that called.
[1:38:36] 1050 1050 cost center.
[1:38:39] Cost center.
[1:38:39] And we align each item
in the revenue sheet
[1:38:42] with the cost center.
[1:38:43] And I think that would
be clearer to the public.
[1:38:45] I think it paints
a better picture
[1:38:46] than going to the expense.
[1:38:49] And here's your revenue.
[1:38:51] It can be.
[1:38:54] I think it looks cleaner.
[1:38:56] I think it looks cleaner
doing it that way.
[1:38:58] And I think it's a better
situation for department heads
[1:39:02] because they're not on for the
cliff when we or the Budget
[1:39:05] Committee says, all
right, but we're
[1:39:06] going to pull from blah,
blah blah to cover that,
[1:39:08] then that's not on them.
[1:39:09] They didn't actually
make that decision.
[1:39:11] We did.
[1:39:14] That makes sense to me.
[1:39:17] You're good with that.
[1:39:17] So let's go back to $100,000.
[1:39:20] When do we want to pull it.
[1:39:22] Well I think motion on it.
[1:39:25] Should we just make
a motion to request
[1:39:26] $100,000 from the opioid
committee for the 2027
[1:39:30] inmate medical budget.
[1:39:33] Was that what that
would look like.
[1:39:35] Well, a request
to the committee.
[1:39:36] They've already been notified.
[1:39:39] So really, the legal
authority rests with us.
[1:39:41] So if it's $100,000, then we can
do it now or we can do it 17th.
[1:39:51] I'm flexible.
[1:39:52] 
[1:39:54] Whatever you want.
[1:39:58] Yeah, let's do it.
[1:39:59] The seventh.
[1:39:59] When I present my warrant,
there'll be an article.
[1:40:02] Well, there'll be a
request for $100,000
[1:40:05] to the County jail based on
the 20 approval of 2026 budget.
[1:40:09] Now, are you talking about
adding asking for another
[1:40:11] $100,000 for 2027 seven.
[1:40:14] Because we already
did that for 2026.
[1:40:18] OK OK.
[1:40:20] All right.
[1:40:21] So we'll do that the 17th then.
[1:40:25] What was your other questions.
[1:40:26] 
[1:40:29] Well I don't know if you want to
go into special appropriations,
[1:40:32] but sure, let's have that
discussion number 1080 1080.
[1:40:39] Thank you.
[1:40:40] 
[1:40:43] You have 1080.
[1:40:45] 1082 005.
[1:40:49] Yeah, I got it.
[1:40:51] And so you have
Cooperative Extension
[1:40:55] and you can't remember
their numbers.
[1:40:59] So we had a Total Request
per our requirements
[1:41:05] based on your 15 question form
that they have to fill out.
[1:41:08] They submitted $132,389.50.
[1:41:14] So far I think we have approved.
[1:41:19] Correct me if I'm wrong.
[1:41:20] Waldo cap for 5,000.
[1:41:23] Was that conditional
or was it approved.
[1:41:25] Bar I'm sorry, what was
that question again.
[1:41:28] We approved.
[1:41:29] Yeah I've got check
marks next to Waldo cap.
[1:41:31] Firefighters and
firefighters from cogs 10
[1:41:34] and then 3 for Winslow
community cupboard.
[1:41:37] If it were up to me, I would
ask to revisit all of them
[1:41:40] because I want to
change my mind.
[1:41:41] But we can do.
[1:41:43] That ship has sailed.
[1:41:44] 
[1:41:47] Why don't we visit.
[1:41:48] 
[1:41:50] I personally don't,
but I'm open to it.
[1:41:54] It is what it is.
[1:41:56] All right, so what do you want.
[1:41:57] To revisit each
one individually.
[1:41:59] Or do you want to
take an aggregate.
[1:42:01] I'll tell you.
[1:42:01] My thinking is that I want to
continue to support the Waldo
[1:42:05] County firefighters
association to the 5,000,
[1:42:08] because I see them as a direct
partner in the work that we do.
[1:42:12] In terms of first
responding in terms of EMA.
[1:42:16] I would consider Waldo cap,
but I don't want to do.
[1:42:22] I want to do 0 for the rest
because I really believe that we
[1:42:24] cannot be making donations
given the financial
[1:42:27] position that we're in.
[1:42:28] 
[1:42:31] I also think that if we're going
to continue to consider working
[1:42:36] with mid-coast council
of governments,
[1:42:38] that they're not a
special appropriations,
[1:42:39] they're a contracted
professional service
[1:42:41] or dues that they shouldn't
have been in this.
[1:42:45] 
[1:42:47] But I would rescind
my tank on that
[1:42:49] simply because we
don't know what grants
[1:42:52] we want to go for next year.
[1:42:53] I would like to be
in a better position
[1:42:55] to know how we're going to
utilize that $10,000 with them.
[1:43:02] It's a mouthful.
[1:43:02] I'm sorry.
[1:43:03] I have too many
thoughts all at once.
[1:43:04] That's all I'm trying to digest.
[1:43:06] Yeah, I take our
I take our total
[1:43:09] appropriations down
to five or 10,000
[1:43:11] this year from the 12 5 last.
[1:43:14] 
[1:43:17] May I add my cents.
[1:43:19] Sure it's not cents.
[1:43:24] It's going to be 501 because
I got negative 3 coming.
[1:43:26] We don't take pennies anymore.
[1:43:28] Now, I take what Briana
said a little bit further.
[1:43:33] And I'm not a heartless guy.
[1:43:35] I really am not.
[1:43:36] But we got items in
this budget this year
[1:43:41] that we must, must find.
[1:43:46] And to say to these people
that we can't fund this
[1:43:50] and we can't fund that
while we're passing out,
[1:43:53] what's the total amount
of money requested.
[1:43:56] Total total was 132,000.
[1:43:59] But I think right now we're
looking at 5:00 o'clock, 10,
[1:44:01] 20, 23,000 is where we're at.
[1:44:04] I'm going to get very excited
that 132,000 would pay for.
[1:44:12] That 132,000 would go a long
way toward paying for Jason.
[1:44:16] So there are things on these
that I would really like to fund
[1:44:23] because I see the purpose.
[1:44:25] But we're a place
where we can't.
[1:44:28] I don't know how you do it.
[1:44:29] I'm glad I don't have to make
the decision you guys make.
[1:44:32] But I'll tell you right now,
we're at a critical stage
[1:44:36] on of personnel in this office.
[1:44:40] And I see it.
[1:44:42] I've seen it for 20 years.
[1:44:44] We need to address it before
we address anything else.
[1:44:48] It's got to be.
[1:44:49] It's got to be.
[1:44:50] 
[1:44:53] Whatever the fiasco is
going to be, got to do that.
[1:44:57] This is a staff accountant.
[1:44:58] This which was recommended
by the auditor.
[1:45:00] And when we get into
the budget process
[1:45:03] and we add support for it and
we add support for finance, that
[1:45:11] adding staff is
always the first thing
[1:45:13] that's going to be questioned.
[1:45:15] Well, I want to feel like we did
everything that we could to make
[1:45:20] that a yes for
people, this office,
[1:45:23] I've been doing
this for 26 years.
[1:45:26] This office has been
understaffed for 26 years.
[1:45:29] Understaffed one
person departments
[1:45:33] can't continue to do that.
[1:45:34] It's reckless.
[1:45:37] It's just.
[1:45:38] How long are we going to
ask our IT guy to work.
[1:45:42] 24/7 How much longer
are we going to do that.
[1:45:46] He's been.
[1:45:46] How long are we going
to continue to keep
[1:45:48] on to carry on, to carry it.
[1:45:51] Director has been here
for how many years.
[1:45:53] Six years 7 going
on 7, six years.
[1:45:57] 24/7 And he's already told and
stated for the record that if he
[1:46:02] doesn't have an assistant IT
person to work with next year,
[1:46:05] he will not be here.
[1:46:08] So that's on the record.
[1:46:09] And I think that's fair.
[1:46:11] I don't think that
that's some people view
[1:46:13] things like that as a threat.
[1:46:15] But I just think that that's
what it takes to do the job.
[1:46:17] And what do you
expect of people.
[1:46:20] They have a life.
[1:46:20] They have a family every time.
[1:46:22] It's really important to us to
be on Zoom for this meeting.
[1:46:26] And when we say we want
to do an extra meeting,
[1:46:29] we need that technology
to be able to do that when
[1:46:32] we get together on
a Saturday like we
[1:46:34] did for special appropriation.
[1:46:35] So when we talk about
health and safety,
[1:46:37] our deputies on a
rotational call,
[1:46:40] our 911 are on a
rotational call.
[1:46:43] Our corrections are
on a rotational call.
[1:46:46] It has no rotational call.
[1:46:50] Period so I agree
with you, brie.
[1:46:52] I said, I think
we need to cut it.
[1:46:55] I have no doubt in my mind
the firefighters association,
[1:46:58] that's health and safety.
[1:46:59] I have no issues with
the $5,000 request.
[1:47:04] Waldo cap is the one.
[1:47:05] I'm struggling with the rest.
[1:47:07] I think they got to go
simply because of what we're
[1:47:11] up against in
especially with medical
[1:47:14] we keep bringing this up
and trying to fix medical,
[1:47:18] but medical is
costing us thousands
[1:47:21] and thousands of dollars and
we have to change the program.
[1:47:25] We're waiting on the latest
bid requests for that.
[1:47:29] We won't.
[1:47:30] The soft increase is about
22% and they'll Harden
[1:47:35] up that percentage increase.
[1:47:39] The closer we get in
October maybe the last week,
[1:47:42] the first week of
November is really
[1:47:44] where we get that harder
increased percentage rate is
[1:47:48] based on the 24 month history.
[1:47:51] But whatever it is, I guarantee
it's going to be about 15,
[1:47:55] 18% somewhere in that range.
[1:47:57] We're seeing what happens
in County government
[1:48:00] when we have turnover
of staff as well.
[1:48:04] And what a mess that
creates, what a turnover
[1:48:06] puts on the rest of the.
[1:48:07] And then.
[1:48:08] And then the actual cost
you hire somebody new.
[1:48:10] They're looking at
what those people are
[1:48:12] getting paid in other counties.
[1:48:13] And unfortunately
they're getting
[1:48:16] paid more than they are here.
[1:48:18] So put a motion on the table.
[1:48:20] 
[1:48:23] I move we approve $5,000 for
the Waldo County firefighters
[1:48:27] association and no other
special appropriations
[1:48:29] request for the 2027.
[1:48:31] Put a second on
that for discussion.
[1:48:33] Any more discussion.
[1:48:34] Absolutely Jim.
[1:48:36] 
[1:48:39] Are we or are we not, in
a world where a contract
[1:48:44] is more than just a handshake.
[1:48:47] We are.
[1:48:48] And we had each one of
these special appropriations
[1:48:51] come here and plead
their case about why
[1:48:55] their special appropriation
was important.
[1:48:58] And now we are talking
about cutting them.
[1:49:01] 
[1:49:04] But yet we also talk
about integrity.
[1:49:07] So we've made a deal with
special appropriations
[1:49:12] push this off to Budget
Committee to now turn around
[1:49:16] and rescind on our deal just
because we changed our mind.
[1:49:23] That's essentially
what I'm hearing.
[1:49:27] I feel good about my
personal integrity.
[1:49:29] 
[1:49:32] So I said it before, we could
push it to Budget Committee.
[1:49:35] 
[1:49:39] As commissioners.
[1:49:44] The Budget Committee has
authority over the expenses.
[1:49:48] They don't have the authority
over the salary expense.
[1:49:51] And I understand
that part fully.
[1:49:56] The problem is when it comes
to tough decision leaders,
[1:50:00] leaders take a stance.
[1:50:02] And it's not always.
[1:50:06] Not always portrayed
in a great light
[1:50:09] because it's controversial.
[1:50:11] This is a controversial
thing, and I
[1:50:16] like to put realistic numbers
before the Budget Committee.
[1:50:19] That makes sense.
[1:50:20] I don't want to put numbers
before the Budget Committee
[1:50:22] that OK, we're going to
have a sacrificial Lamb
[1:50:25] and we know they're going to
cut this number just to pass it
[1:50:28] forward, rather than
taking a stance as a leader
[1:50:30] and making that decision before
it goes to a Budget Committee.
[1:50:33] So I don't disagree
with what you're saying.
[1:50:36] But then why did you guys pass
the $10,000 for the mid Coast.
[1:50:40] I am changed my mind on it.
[1:50:44] I don't know.
[1:50:44] I sometimes you think
something's a good idea.
[1:50:47] Then you think about
it and you go what,
[1:50:49] I'm going to walk back on that.
[1:50:50] And I'm happy to do that in
public for everyone to see.
[1:50:54] In my case, I wanted to see what
the number was for the budget.
[1:50:58] The total budget.
[1:51:01] It's hard to say yes on one
hand and no on the other or.
[1:51:06] No on one hand,
yes on the other.
[1:51:08] But when I'm putting forth,
in a second year in a row,
[1:51:11] a high increased budget
increase, which if you add
[1:51:15] the two percentages
together, it comes out
[1:51:17] to coincidentally
to 38% which was
[1:51:20] what was presented last year.
[1:51:22] I think we need to
be realistic to say,
[1:51:25] last year was a tough
year to pass the budget.
[1:51:27] And it was a lot
of budget meetings,
[1:51:32] a lot of consternation over it.
[1:51:35] But in reality, we
got the budget passed.
[1:51:38] I suspect it's going to
happen again this year.
[1:51:41] And, you but we're
fighting an economy
[1:51:46] that's in an inflated position.
[1:51:49] And we have to figure out
how do we stay in business,
[1:51:52] how do we pay our Bills.
[1:51:54] We've pulled down another
$2.2 million on the 10.
[1:51:59] So now we're at $7.7 million
with two different rates.
[1:52:02] What's our rates 5, 3, three.
[1:52:03] And what's the other rate 5 six.
[1:52:08] No 5454.
[1:52:10] Thank you.
[1:52:11] So that's money we
have to pay back.
[1:52:15] And we have to pay back
in a short period of time.
[1:52:18] And so we finished
the 21, 22, 23 audits.
[1:52:23] We pretty much know what
our undesignated fund
[1:52:25] balances typically is.
[1:52:26] We know what the
reserve accounts are.
[1:52:29] We're in a tenuous position.
[1:52:31] And sometimes you
have to make the call.
[1:52:36] And I think personally,
I think the firefighters
[1:52:42] is the one to move forward
after revisiting this.
[1:52:45] And I know it's controversial.
[1:52:48] I know all these organizations
do an excellent job.
[1:52:52] They're invested in
their organization.
[1:52:54] They're trying to
scramble and keep
[1:52:56] and do their missions,
whatever their missions are
[1:52:59] going forward.
[1:53:01] But we're in a tenuous
position financially,
[1:53:04] and it's every little thing adds
to our financial position not
[1:53:11] getting better.
[1:53:12] We need to get better at this.
[1:53:15] An undesignated fund balance
of 1.2 1.5 million to 1.6 1.7
[1:53:20] million is not enough for
the size of this budget,
[1:53:23] and the reserve accounts are
not enough for this size.
[1:53:26] Budget for the future.
[1:53:27] Even though we're
consolidating when
[1:53:29] you look at roughly $1.8
million for reserves,
[1:53:32] that's not enough
for this County.
[1:53:34] When you look at the
undesignated fund balance,
[1:53:37] that's not enough
for this County.
[1:53:38] And so how do we
change our path.
[1:53:42] We have to change our path to
get where we need to be more
[1:53:45] financially solid in this
position that we're in now
[1:53:51] did not happen last year.
[1:53:52] This has happened over
a period of years.
[1:53:56] And part of it and part
of it is due in part
[1:53:59] to the medical position.
[1:54:01] It's happened over
a period of years,
[1:54:02] and we have to start making
different strides on this
[1:54:06] to get us in a better
financial position, not
[1:54:09] only for the wellness
of the County,
[1:54:10] but the wellness for people.
[1:54:12] If we're not well, then we
can't deliver the services.
[1:54:17] And the services are 911.
[1:54:19] Deeds It's probate court,
it's the deputies, it's EMA.
[1:54:24] If you look at the
service that we provide,
[1:54:26] we're pretty streamlined
as a County of the services
[1:54:29] that we provide, for the future.
[1:54:32] I think we need to be looking
at our finances, tighten
[1:54:34] the finances up, and at the same
time looking at the services
[1:54:37] that we should be
providing for the future
[1:54:40] and how do we get there
financially to do that.
[1:54:42] And I think for me,
that's the big issue.
[1:54:45] So I think that explanation
should have been given
[1:54:47] to these people instead of us
approving them to then turn
[1:54:51] around two weeks later, not
approval, because that's
[1:54:54] no different than the comment
about leadership a year ago
[1:54:57] when my health insurance
was taken away.
[1:55:00] All right.
[1:55:00] So I think that we should if
we're going to be transparent.
[1:55:03] We didn't communicate
it to them.
[1:55:04] We approved them, sent
them on their way,
[1:55:07] told them that it
was all good to go.
[1:55:08] And now we're sitting
here saying that we're
[1:55:10] going to take it away.
[1:55:12] That's what we're talking.
[1:55:14] It was up to be taken away
at any point between now
[1:55:17] and the end of the
budget process,
[1:55:19] I us approving it pushes it to
Budget Committee for the Budget
[1:55:23] Committee to have a chance.
[1:55:25] Those people left here two
weeks ago with in their minds
[1:55:29] that we were on the
same page with them.
[1:55:30] If we truly felt
what Kevin is saying,
[1:55:33] we should have told them no and
we should have voted it down.
[1:55:36] 
[1:55:39] So what if we take a
different approach to this.
[1:55:42] What if we just
approve a total amount.
[1:55:47] And push it force to
the Budget Committee.
[1:55:51] I'm not sold on this.
[1:55:55] We owe something for having
made one decision two weeks ago.
[1:55:58] It's two weeks.
[1:56:00] These are, let's say,
unprecedented times,
[1:56:03] tough decisions.
[1:56:04] People change their mind.
[1:56:05] We have the right
to change our mind.
[1:56:08] And it's not good.
[1:56:11] It's not ideal.
[1:56:12] But I feel like I mean,
you may be watching now,
[1:56:16] but I feel like we can
communicate to this people,
[1:56:19] this to people.
[1:56:21] I think that we can do things to
partner more strongly with some
[1:56:25] of these organizations.
[1:56:26] We've heard, we heard today
that about the relationship
[1:56:30] between our garden and
the Belfast soup kitchen.
[1:56:32] We can look for ways to better
support them through things
[1:56:35] that we already do.
[1:56:37] We talk to Waldo and how
can we better partner
[1:56:41] with these organizations.
[1:56:42] And just a quick example.
[1:56:45] I used to have a job where I was
constantly pounding the pavement
[1:56:50] looking for either business
sponsorships or dues
[1:56:52] or donations for events,
and there was one business
[1:56:56] that every time their
answer was the same,
[1:56:58] they said, we don't do this
because we pay our employees
[1:57:01] a living wage, a living
wage, and if they
[1:57:03] want to support
community causes,
[1:57:05] they're in a better
position to do that.
[1:57:07] And that's how I
feel about the burden
[1:57:09] we place on our taxpayers.
[1:57:12] We do our job right, they'll
be in a better position
[1:57:14] to support the better.
[1:57:15] The Belfast soup kitchen
and Waldo cap and
[1:57:18] the Winslow community cupboard.
[1:57:20] I don't think we need
to make that decision
[1:57:21] on their behalf, at
least in the position
[1:57:24] that we're in right now.
[1:57:26] I'll call the question.
[1:57:28] Was there a motion on the table.
[1:57:29] There was.
[1:57:30] We were in discussion,
and the motion
[1:57:32] is to approve $5,000
for the firefighters
[1:57:36] and 0 for everyone else.
[1:57:38] 
[1:57:43] Thank you.
[1:57:44] Hold on just a second
here before I proceed.
[1:57:48] 
[1:57:54] All right, so we come.
[1:57:55] You want me to
call the question.
[1:57:56] I just want to put
on the table that
[1:57:57] I think in 24 appropriations
was approved for $5,000.
[1:58:03] Is that right.
[1:58:04] Sounds right.
[1:58:05] If you're saying it there,
I'm reading this right.
[1:58:07] It was probably for Waldo cap.
[1:58:11] That's right.
[1:58:12] Because I had to talk to.
[1:58:14] Was that 5 for Waldo, Captain.
[1:58:16] Yeah, yeah, because the
firefighter association,
[1:58:20] they didn't apply that.
[1:58:21] They didn't.
[1:58:21] Yeah they were struggling.
[1:58:24] 
[1:58:27] So the question has been called.
[1:58:28] All those in favor read
the question back or just
[1:58:32] so we're clear and this is in
the confines of appropriations.
[1:58:37] Correct At $5,000 be
approved for the firefighters
[1:58:42] association and 0 for the
others in the appropriations.
[1:58:47] Special appropriations.
[1:58:47] Say it again.
[1:58:48] You're talking
$2,000 to approve,
[1:58:51] $5,000 to the firefighters
and 0 for the others
[1:58:55] in the special other requests.
[1:58:57] OK yes.
[1:58:59] Questions been called.
[1:59:00] All those in favor.
[1:59:03] Aye Those opposed.
[1:59:06] Any abstentions.
[1:59:08] One abstention.
[1:59:09] Station or two in
favor 1 abstention.
[1:59:12] Yes OK.
[1:59:13] Thank you.
[1:59:15] So it's at $5,000.
[1:59:18] Thank you for your arguments.
[1:59:21] And it's a tough call.
[1:59:22] It is a tough call.
[1:59:23] And I think to Tim's
point about integrity,
[1:59:27] I think that we need to
do some good communication
[1:59:30] with the organizations
that requested,
[1:59:34] especially the organizations
that we indicated support of.
[1:59:37] What do you mean, I don't know.
[1:59:39] Write a letter.
[1:59:41] Phone call, I don't know.
[1:59:43] So historically, in the past, if
somebody has requested a funds,
[1:59:50] but it has not been approved
by the commissioners,
[1:59:53] has it been put forth
to the Budget Committee.
[1:59:57] So seeing that so really,
even though you made a motion
[2:00:00] to approve $5,000,
that's what you're saying
[2:00:03] you can bring forward.
[2:00:04] But that doesn't stop the
Budget Committee from adding
[2:00:06] any of those categories.
[2:00:08] So those requests, those
individual requests
[2:00:10] on those other organizations
Waldo cap mid-coast, the two
[2:00:14] from Midcoast, the Belfast
soup kitchen, Winslow community
[2:00:18] cupboard and that's it.
[2:00:22] That's it.
[2:00:23] The Budget Committee will be
presented that information.
[2:00:25] They have the opportunity
to add takeaway, add
[2:00:29] or take away, add or take away.
[2:00:31] All right.
[2:00:32] Now if you made a
motion earlier back
[2:00:35] in June that said
that you weren't going
[2:00:38] to ask for any special
appropriations,
[2:00:41] you weren't accepting
requests, then.
[2:00:43] No, the Budget Committee would
not be getting that information.
[2:00:46] But they're still
seeing the information.
[2:00:48] They are still seeing.
[2:00:49] I think that's a decision.
[2:00:50] But they can't add two
special appropriations.
[2:00:54] If they want to
fund Waldo cap, they
[2:00:57] can add to fund Waldo cap if
they want to fund at all you're
[2:01:01] doing is they added things.
[2:01:02] Last year they said,
oh, we don't think you
[2:01:04] have enough money budgeted for.
[2:01:05] I can't remember what it was.
[2:01:07] Audit or something,
but they added
[2:01:08] special appropriations that
were approved to go to them.
[2:01:12] These are no longer
approved to go to them.
[2:01:15] You're making a recommendation
of what you're going to fund.
[2:01:20] You're so me as a
department head.
[2:01:22] I'm saying to the
commissioners, it takes $100,000
[2:01:25] to operate my finance budget.
[2:01:28] You're telling me that.
[2:01:30] No, Carrie, I think you
can do it for $50,000.
[2:01:33] I say, OK, the Budget Committee,
that we can look at it
[2:01:36] and say, well, Carrie,
I think 50 is too low.
[2:01:39] Hundreds too high.
[2:01:40] I'll give you 80,000.
[2:01:42] So we're just
recommending nothing.
[2:01:44] You are making a recommendation
at the end of the day,
[2:01:47] and they can change their minds.
[2:01:48] They can add or subtract.
[2:01:50] They can't.
[2:01:51] All right.
[2:01:52] Can I add to that.
[2:01:53] That happened to me
exactly about 10 years ago.
[2:01:57] The commissioners cut
my overtime budget.
[2:01:59] I took out $75,000.
[2:02:03] No Budget Committee was
started because the chairman
[2:02:06] of the Budget Committee said
to me, can you live with that.
[2:02:10] Without that.
[2:02:11] And I said, no, I can't.
[2:02:12] But I guess the
commissioners have
[2:02:13] to figure out how to fund it
because I can't lock the doors.
[2:02:17] So Budget Committee funded it.
[2:02:19] So they do it well, like.
[2:02:25] And so same thing
happened to salt water
[2:02:27] I think three years ago.
[2:02:28] Soil and water
lost their funding.
[2:02:30] No, they got well
they got it back.
[2:02:33] Was it cut in half or something.
[2:02:35] There was three or
four motions that went.
[2:02:37] And then it was
finally, I think,
[2:02:40] settled to give them their
full request, the full
[2:02:42] request or maybe 25,000.
[2:02:45] Something to that effect.
[2:02:46] All right.
[2:02:49] Brief, we got through
two of your questions.
[2:02:53] Third one, is there a third one.
[2:02:56] Let me see.
[2:02:58] Do we have a County garden
breakdown of that line item.
[2:03:01] Do we have an idea of
what that gets spent on.
[2:03:05] That is actually in
the Sheriff's budget.
[2:03:07] But it's just one line item.
[2:03:09] It's one line and
it's a large one.
[2:03:11] So I'm curious how
that's being spent.
[2:03:13] I know that the garden
is important in general,
[2:03:17] and also important because
it's part of our eligibility
[2:03:21] to receive funding for the work
we do with the reentry center.
[2:03:24] But I'm curious how
much it has to cost us.
[2:03:27] I know that there's been some
changes that's happened there,
[2:03:30] so I don't know what
those expenses look like.
[2:03:32] I don't remember.
[2:03:36] Seeing anything to break that
breaks that garden project down.
[2:03:42] And I think some
has historically
[2:03:45] come out of community
corrections funds
[2:03:47] is that that's a separate.
[2:03:49] Yeah so it's not just one place.
[2:03:54] So well the garden is the CCA.
[2:03:57] 
[2:04:00] Or I can ask Matt Magnusson
if he has a breakdown of that.
[2:04:06] Yeah so you want to see
an additional breakdown
[2:04:08] of that aggregate number
on that line item.
[2:04:11] Yes OK.
[2:04:12] That's it for that's
it for my questions.
[2:04:15] That was it for your questions.
[2:04:16] Yeah it was only like
an hour of discussion.
[2:04:19] Any other.
[2:04:20] You don't want my questions.
[2:04:22] All right.
[2:04:23] Kevin I'm learning not
to poke the bear twice.
[2:04:29] Kevin yes, ma'am.
[2:04:30] We need to go into an executive
session for personnel matters.
[2:04:33] All right.
[2:04:34] Any other open questions
for the Budget Committee.
[2:04:37] Treasurer do you have anything.
[2:04:38] Ellen?
[2:04:39] no.
[2:04:40] So it's executive session.
[2:04:43] Subchapter 405 the
first and second.
[2:04:48] Motion carries.
[2:04:50] Thank you.
[2:04:51] And I'm sure we're off record.
[2:04:52] It's just that this is going
to be the last item, I think.
[2:04:55] I think so.
[2:04:56] All right.
[2:04:56] 
[2:05:08] Oops are we back on record.
[2:05:44] 
[2:05:49] Are we back on.
[2:05:50] Or do you think.
[2:05:51] Yes no.
[2:05:52] Yes You never know.
[2:05:54] Yes, I never know.
[2:05:55] No talkie.
[2:05:55] 
[2:05:58] For the green thing.
[2:06:01] We gotta figure this out.
[2:06:02] We need a signal.
[2:06:03] Good I just hate yelling.
[2:06:05] So we're all set.
[2:06:06] All right, so this is
Waldo County court session.
[2:06:09] We're back after
executive session.
[2:06:11] This is September three.
[2:06:13] We need to take some action
based on our executive session.
[2:06:17] I move we incorporate the
market rate adjustments
[2:06:21] for the following
positions in the 2027
[2:06:26] commissioner's budget proposal.
[2:06:28] The positions are.
[2:06:29] Communications County clerk
investigator at DA office.
[2:06:36] Manager at da deeds, EMA
director, facilities director.
[2:06:43] Finance director, Judge of
probate, probate and Sheriff.
[2:06:49] Do I have a second.
[2:06:50] Second We have a first
and I have a second.
[2:06:52] Is there any more discussion.
[2:06:56] Hearing none.
[2:06:56] I'll call the question.
[2:06:57] All those in favor.
[2:06:59] Motion carries unanimously.
[2:07:00] Any other business
before the court.
[2:07:02] 
[2:07:05] We're adjourned without form.
[2:07:08] Thank you very much.
[2:07:08] Have a great day.
[2:07:09] 
[2:07:12] I'm not going to take this home.
[2:07:13] I need to focus on
other stuff right now.
[2:07:14] But thank you for the offer.
[2:07:16] I'll leave it underneath here.
[2:07:20] All righty.
[2:07:20] 
[2:07:29] I think I have a new gray
hair since I got here today.
[2:07:34] Every meeting I say to my son.
[2:07:36] I am so glad that
you got a party.
[2:07:39] Oh, thanks.
[2:07:40] I think we have a good team.
[2:07:42] Well, you'll be four
years in come November.
[2:07:49] I don't know if
that's a good thing.
[2:07:51] In July.