Hancock County considers cost-saving steps

ELLSWORTH – Turning more law enforcement duties over to the state, increasing the employee share of benefit costs, and outsourcing some services are among possible cost-saving measures being recommended to Hancock County officials.

A nine-member operations assessment committee in April began examining Hancock County government, with the approval of the county’s commissioners, to get a better understanding of the services the county’s ever-increasing tax bills are helping to fund. The committee, a group of municipal officials and citizens, wrapped up its mission last week when it presented its recommendations to commissioners.

The county already is considering outsourcing its payroll services and eliminating a vacant position in the treasurer’s office, commission Chairman Ken Shea said last week. Bar Harbor Police Chief Nate Young, Winter Harbor Selectman Diana Young and Mariaville Selectman Scott Austin were the only three members of the committee who met Aug. 19 with the commissioners.

Without the position, the treasurer’s office may have fewer hours it is open, Shea said. Depending on whether proposed tax reform initiatives are passed this fall or in later years, he said, the county may have to consider limiting the working hours in its probate and deeds offices.

Also suggested was getting the state police to patrol more in Hancock County and getting the state to pick up the tab for the county’s drug enforcement task force.

Shea said that state officials told him that either option would require the Legislature to approve more funding for law enforcement. He said he is not in favor of funding the task force beyond 2005.

“I said I’d support it for two years. Beyond that, I won’t,” Shea said. “We just plain can’t afford it.”

Committee members also raised the issue of the county providing funding to outside organizations. County residents may be getting “double-dipped” if there are organizations that receive funding from local towns and the county, which raises money by appropriating property tax revenue from the towns.

Other recommendations the commissioners were asked to consider include:

. Appointing a county treasurer instead of having the position be elected.

. Bidding advertising and awarding a contract to the lowest bidder.

. Building a regional jail with another county if and when the county’s 4-year-old jail becomes overcrowded.

. Having the state answer emergency 911 calls and possibly offer dispatch services for emergency agencies in the county.

County officials said they will research the suggestions further and likely will discuss options with the budget advisory committee this fall when the county’s 2005 budget is being drafted.