Lincoln County Commissioners made it very clear they are not in favor of Governor John Baldacci's proposal to take over the county jails in a written statement released at their meeting Tuesday morning.

"Property taxpayers need to take notice. It seems that the state has found a new way to balance its budget - by shifting parts of it directly onto the property tax," the commissioners and County Administrator, James McMahon, said in their statement.

"First, there was the school consolidation plan adopted as part of the state budget. By now it should be apparent that the only savings that will result will be the state budget and not the local property taxpayers, many of whom will undoubtedly end up paying more," according to the statement.

"Now the governor is proposing the state take over the county jails without paying the debt costs of those counties (York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc and Lincoln) whose taxpayers met their obligations to build new jails and with only the promise to pay future increases in jail operating cost in the county budgets. (One need only to review the history of the state's funding of education costs to see how unreliable its promises are.)"

"The Governor's proposal is like someone taking over ownership of your house and leaving you to pay the mortgage payments and the current cost of living in your house with only the promise to pay future increases in those costs!"

"How is that for credibility?" the commissioners ask. "Especially since the state can't find the funds to meet its current obligations. Funny how the projected savings to the state just about equals the currently identified shortfall in the state budget for FY 2009."

"Since the state seems unwilling to prioritize and to cut spending anywhere, it appears to us that this is another attempt by the state to meet its obligations by passing them onto the local taxpayers. However, this one would likely have long term built-in cost increases for years to come. All taxpayers need to pay attention to this devious attempt by the state to balance its own budget on the backs of local property taxpayers."

Lincoln County is not the only county in the state that has concerns about the economics of the proposal. Ten counties within the state have approved being assessed for $5,000 each to hire an expert to research the proposed savings in the governor's proposal, and other counties are expected to join in.

"This proposal is of no savings to the taxpayers of the state," Commissioner William Blodgett said during the meeting, "It is a savings to the state spending."

The governor has projected a combined savings of $10 million for the counties and state the first year the state takes control of the jails..

Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties built the Two Bridges Regional Jail, at a cost of $24 million. The taxpayers of the two counties, under the governor's proposal, would continue to pay for the jail, which would be owned by the state.

The governor's plan would close four county jails: Waldo, Oxford, Franklin, and Piscataquis. The county jails that would remain open include: Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, York, Cumberland, Somerset, Penobscot, Hancock, Washington, Aroostock, and Two Bridges Regional Jail (shared by Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties).

Currently there are 19 inmates from Lincoln County serving on probation violations at the Two Bridges Regional Jail; although they are state inmates, the county is responsible for the cost of their incarceration, not the state.

However, the state does give the counties an undetermined amount of money each year called the "Community Corrections" money. The state uses a formula that was amended in 1997 to reimburse the counties for housing the state inmates. According to county officials the reimbursement doesn't come close to the amount the county taxpayers have to pay to house the state prisoners.

Currently about 40 percent of Lincoln County inmates, now at the Two Bridges Regional Jail, are state inmates. It would appear that process would not change under the Governor's proposal.

The courthouse patio is now under construction, and is expected to be completed by October 1. The cost of the new patio is $154,000.

The county recycling revenue for the month of August is $28,678. According to recycling supervisor Mike Thompson, the revenue is up about $40,000 over last year at the same time.

The commissioners accepted the resignation of Dispatcher Beverly Hall, and approved hiring Jeff Lovejoy to fill the position.

The commissioners requested estimates in changing the lighting in the courthouse to cut down on electrical costs.

The commissioners approved a revised personnel policy for non-bargaining unit employees presented by County Administrator James McMahon. A copy of the policy will be given to each employee affected by the document.

The commissioners went into executive session, according to the agenda, "to discuss hiring, assignment, compensation, and duties of the position(s)," which is wording included in Section 405 6A of the state's Freedom of Access Act.

The newspaper questioned McMahon about the use of this section of the law, since it is subject to certain conditions. McMahon defended his interpretation of the law.

The newspaper checked with Jonathan Piper, the attorney for the Maine Press Association, who said McMahon is wrong.