UPDATE: Just moments ago, Penobscot County Commissioners unanimously approved a critical $35.3 million budget for 2026 during their final meeting of the year. This comes as the county grapples with a significant $3.5 million shortfall in the jail budget, marking a dramatic increase from last year’s $34.5 million allocation.
The vote, held on December 20, 2023, saw Commissioners Andre Cushing, Dave Marshall, and Dan Tremble making tough decisions amid a prolonged and contentious budget process. The jail’s financial crisis, rooted in a previous reliance on undesignated funds, has forced the county to confront a staggering $7 million deficit.
During the budget discussions, the commissioners initially proposed a $36.1 million budget, but after extensive deliberations with a 15-member budget advisory committee, the final figure was trimmed to $35.3 million. This includes approximately $850,000 in cuts and an additional $150,000 in revenue, resulting in a nearly $1 million reduction in taxes collected.
Changes were made just before the vote, including an infusion of $50,000 for building improvements, $20,000 for transitional administrative costs, and $5,000 for finance operations. The overall budget reflects a sharp increase of 15.6%, raising property taxes for county residents by the same percentage.
County Treasurer Glenn Mower indicated that this increase will add 21 cents per $1,000 of property value to the Bangor tax rate, translating to $3,582 in taxes for a $200,000 property.
Commissioner Dan Tremble acknowledged the budget’s steep rise but pointed out that the increase is primarily due to the pressing issues surrounding the jail, not departmental expansions. “It’s a big increase… if you look department by department, there aren’t any huge increases,” he stated.
Looking ahead, the county is considering a public vote in June for a bond to finance a new jail facility. This move aims to alleviate the ongoing budget crisis, especially given the need for increased state funding. “The jail desperately needs a new facility, but that’s not going to cure our problem,” Tremble emphasized.
As Penobscot County moves forward, residents and officials alike will be watching closely to see how these budgetary decisions impact local services and the future of the county jail. The urgency for a sustainable solution has never been clearer.
