Penobscot County, Maine

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The Budget Committee is meeting to conduct a budget overview of various county departments. The body will discuss expenditures, revenues, and the amount of tax assessment.

• Review of Public Services budget (Register of Probate)
• Review of Public Safety budgets (EMA Director and District Attorney)
• Review of Admin/Personnel budgets including IT, Labor Relations, and County Insurance
• Review of Outside Agencies including EMDC and Penquis
• Discussion of Jail Cap and tax assessment amounts

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The Penobscot County Commissioners will meet to make decisions on the jail tax budget reset and an employment grievance. The body will also review bids for a paving project and discuss service agreements for fire protection and solid waste.

• Decision on Penobscot County Jail Tax 2027 Budget Reset
• Bid opening for Kingman Township Paving Project
• Fire Protection Agreement for Mt. Chase
• Solid Waste Agreement for Town of Sherman
• Funding vote for 2026 MCCA Convention attendance

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The Penobscot County Commissioners are meeting for a special session. The primary purpose is to enter an executive session to discuss a contract matter.

• Executive Session regarding a contract matter under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D)

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The County Commissioners are holding a workshop and regular meeting to address personnel and contract matters. The session includes a bid opening for hazard mitigation planning services and the signing of law enforcement contracts.

• Bid opening for Hazard Mitigation Planning Services
• Law enforcement contracts for Unorganized Territory and the towns of Milford, Glenburn, and Carmel
• Executive session regarding a personnel matter
• Executive session regarding a contract matter

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The County Commissioners will discuss and vote on the procurement of 2026 law enforcement vehicles and an EMS contract for the Town of Lee. The body will also review a road work plan for FY27 and a bid opening for discovery management. Several executive sessions are scheduled regarding personnel and contract matters.

• Discussion and vote on 2026 L/E Vehicles procurement and purchase
• Discussion and approval of EMS Contract for Town of Lee
• FY27 Road Work Plan review
• Discussion and vote on Commission Chair effective July 1
• Approval of payroll warrants totaling $1,406,062.43 and A/P General Fund warrants totaling $1,941,902.33

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The Penobscot County Commissioners will discuss and potentially approve moving the jail and related November ballot items. The meeting includes updates on pretrial services and jail fiscal data, as well as three executive sessions regarding contracts and personnel.

• Discussion and approval of moving the jail and November ballot
• Questions regarding the Penobscot County Corrections Coalition
• Executive session on contract matter with Chip Haskell
• Executive session on contract matter with Toni Dyer and John Hamer
• Executive session on personnel matter with Toni Dyer and John Hamer

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The County Commissioners and Administrator Tinkham will meet for an executive session. The meeting is focused on a personnel matter under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A).

• Executive Session regarding a personnel matter

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The Penobscot County Commissioners will consider several snow removal contract extensions and ambulance agreements for Old Town and East Millinocket. The body will also discuss criminal forfeiture and a TIF scholarship application.

• Snow removal contract extensions for Grand Lake Road, Argyle Township, Grandfalls, West Seboeis Road, Norcross Road, Millinocket Lake Road, Kingman, Prentiss, Drew, and Greenfield Townships
• Ambulance agreements with no increase for the City of Old Town and Town of East Millinocket
• Criminal forfeiture G2-996-10 with a current balance of $6,372.72
• Demo and disposal for Argyle Landslide
• TIF Scholarship application and SOP from Galen Williamson – NWDB

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The County Commissioners are holding a workshop to discuss a discovery management system for the DA's office and road salt purchasing. The meeting includes two executive sessions regarding contract matters.

• Bid opening for UT road salt purchasing
• Discussion on Discovery Management System for the DA's office
• Two executive sessions regarding contract matters
• Update on tax abatement and state notification
• Scheduling of two grievance hearings for May 20th

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The Commission authorized a request for proposals for a District Attorney discovery management system and awarded a road salt contract to New England Salt. Officials also approved funding for air quality and environmental hazard testing across county facilities.

• Approved RFP for discovery management system (3-0)
• Accepted New England Salt bid for road salt purchasing (3-0)
• Approved authorization for Director Buswell to sponsor directors meeting (3-0)
• Tabled vote on sole source contract for financial Turnaround and Strategic Advisory to next meeting (3-0)
• Approved use of unfilled position funds for temp services in Deeds
• Approved funding for Haley Ward air quality tests in Courthouse
• Approved RFP for industrial hygienist to review all facilities for environmental hazards
• Approved funding for radon, water, and air quality testing for all facilities

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The Court of County Commissioners is meeting for a special session. The agenda consists of two executive sessions to discuss a personnel matter and a contract matter.

• Executive Session regarding a personnel matter (1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A))
• Executive Session regarding a contract matter (1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D))

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The commissioners held two executive sessions to discuss a personnel matter and a contract matter. No substantive actions were taken during these sessions or the public meeting.

• Approved motion to enter executive session for personnel matter (3-0)
• Approved motion to enter executive session for contract matter (3-0)
• Approved motion to adjourn meeting (3-0)

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The Penobscot County Commissioners met and approved the release of ARPA funds for a project in Millinocket. The decision followed a brief executive session regarding a contract matter.

• Approved release of ARPA funds for the Millinocket project (3-0)

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The Court of County Commissioners is meeting for a special session. The primary purpose is an executive session to discuss a contract matter.

• Executive Session regarding a contract matter under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D)

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The Commission approved a 2026 Mutual Aid Agreement and two service agreements for Millinocket ambulance and fire protection. They also authorized a rock salt co-op RFP and a trial period for ATV use on specific roads. A forfeiture of $8,350 was approved for transfer to the Sheriff’s Office.

• Approved 2026 Mutual Aid Agreement (3-0)
• Approved Millinocket Ambulance 2-year Agreement (3-0)
• Approved Millinocket Fire Protections Agreement (3-0)
• Approved RFP bids for 2026-2027 Rock Salt Co-Op (3-0)
• Approved Down East Lakes Region ATV Club trial use of Tar Ridge Road and Molly Osgood Road (3-0)
• Approved Millinocket X-Stream Canoe Race permit and $50 fee waiver (3-0)
• Approved $8,350 forfeiture in Herbert v. State of Maine to Sheriff’s Office (3-0)
• Approved payroll and A/P warrants (3-0)

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The Penobscot County Commissioners will discuss and vote on ambulance and fire protection agreements for East Millinocket. The body will also consider a salt co-op bid and tax abatement decision letters.

• Ambulance and Fire Protections Agreements for East Millinocket
• Salt Co-Op bidding process
• Criminal Forfeiture Transfer for Herbest vs State of Maine in the amount of $8,350.00
• Tax Abatement decision letters for Koffman, Symonds, Keane, and DeRoche
• Special Event Permit for Millinocket X-Stream Canoe Race on June 6, 2026

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The Board of Commissioners approved two tax abatements and denied two others following deliberations on property valuations. The meeting also included updates on land use planning and unorganized territory operations.

• Approved tax abatement for Koffman vs State of Maine at $130K (3-0)
• Denied tax abatement for Symonds vs State of Maine (3-0)
• Denied tax abatement for Keane vs State of Maine (3-0)
• Approved $12,500 reduction in land value for DeRoche vs State of Maine (3-0)

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The County Commissioners are holding a workshop to receive updates from the LUPC and UT. The body will review tax abatement decisions for four individuals and discuss various municipal services.

• Tax abatement decisions for Koffman, Symonds, Keane, and DeRoche
• Prentiss sand distribution of 600 yards
• Prentiss shed LED light estimates
• Salt Co-Op bid discussion for May 6th
• Executive session regarding a contract matter

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The Commission approved a three-year email security contract with GovConnection and authorized several payment warrants. Tax abatement requests for properties on Pickerel Pond Road and Station Lane were heard but not decided. A workshop to review four tax abatements is scheduled for April 1st.

• Approved email security contract with GovConnection (3-0)
• Approved payroll and A/P warrants (3-0)
• Authorized personnel request presented by HR Director Dyer (3-0)
• Authorized Haley Ward to conduct an initial site assessment (3-0)
• Approved March 4th, 2026 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Tabled decision on Keane tax abatement request
• Tabled decision on DeRoche tax abatement request

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The County Commissioners will deliberate and decide on tax abatements for Koffman and Symonds and hold hearings for Keane and DeRoche. The body will also discuss an email security solution RFP and the acquisition of real property in executive session.

• Decision on tax abatements for Koffman vs State of Maine and Symonds vs State of Maine
• Tax abatement hearings for Keane vs State of Maine and DeRoche vs State of Maine
• Payroll Warrant 03.06.26 for $351,570.31
• A/P General Fund 03.11.26 for $497,935.42
• Discussion on Email Security Solution RFP

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The board approved the designation of a Municipal Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District for the Hammond Ridge & Twin Pines project. They also approved a new Wellness Center Policy and several payment warrants. Two tax abatement appeals were heard, with decisions deferred to a later date.

• Approved Hammond Ridge & Twin Pines TIF District designation and state application (3-0)
• Approved Wellness Center Policy (3-0)
• Approved Payroll Warrant 02.27.26 for $381,526.66 (3-0)
• Approved A/P General Fund Warrant 03.04.26 for $1,530,650.11 (3-0)
• Approved A/P Unorg Terr Warrant 03.04.26 for $199,197.90 (3-0)
• Approved A/P ARPA Warrant 03.04.26 for $313,488.70 (3-0)
• Approved February 27th, 2026 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Tabled decisions on tax abatement appeals for Spruce Island and 27 Island Way

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The County Commissioners will conduct two tax abatement hearings and a public hearing regarding the Hammond Ridge Development Company. The body will also consider the approval of a Wellness Center Policy.

• Public hearing for Hammond Ridge Development Company
• Tax abatement hearing: Koffman vs State of Maine
• Tax abatement hearing: Symonds vs State of Maine
• Approval of Wellness Center Policy
• Approval of payroll and general fund warrants

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The Penobscot County Commissioners will meet to discuss financial authorizations and municipal tax assessments. The agenda includes a discussion with the Katahdin Regional Development Board and three executive sessions regarding personnel and contract matters.

• Authorization of the issuance and sale of up to a $16,000,000 Tax Anticipation Note
• Approval for 2026 Municipal Tax Invoices
• Payroll warrants totaling $718,850.85 for dates 02.06.26 through 02.20.26
• A/P General Fund warrants totaling $236,141.58 for dates 02.11.26 through 02.18.26
• Tax Abatement Hearings scheduled for March 4 at 0900

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The Penobscot County Commissioners approved a $15.8 million Tax Anticipation Note and the 2026 Municipal Tax Assessment. The board denied a $167,000 funding request for a Katahdin Regional Development Board officer, citing a lack of current funds. Other actions included approving payroll and general fund warrants and authorizing a personnel termination.

• Approved $15.8M Tax Anticipation Note from Machias Savings Bank (3-0)
• Approved 2026 Municipal Tax Assessment for invoices (3-0)
• Denied $167,000 funding request for Katahdin Regional Development Board officer
• Approved payroll and A/P warrants (3-0)
• Approved submission of termination letter to employee (3-0)
• Approved execution of up to $52K of PILT funds for unprogrammed personnel contracts (3-0)
• Approved meeting minutes from Feb 4, 9, and 13, 2026 (3-0)

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The County Commissioners will hold a workshop and regular meeting to discuss and vote on a contract with Dirigo Strategic Advisors. The body will also address the PILT Fund and letters to the Governor and legislative delegation.

• Contract development and expenditure of monies for Dirigo Strategic Advisors
• PILT Fund execution vote
• Letter of Authority for the County Administrator
• Discussion of RFP pages 6-8 regarding Dirigo Strategic Advisors

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The Commission approved a contract with Dirigo Strategic Advisors for financial work and audit preparation. They also approved the County Administrator's Letter of Authority and postponed their next regular meeting to attend a legislative hearing in Augusta.

• Approved contract with Dirigo Strategic Advisors for audit preparation and financial work not to exceed $84,000 (3-0)
• Approved County Administrator's Letter of Authority (3-0)
• Postponed regular meeting to Thursday, February 26th at 2:00 PM to attend a legislative hearing

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The Penobscot County Commissioners reviewed a single bid for On-Site Audit Support for the Finance Department. The board decided to review the bid further to ensure it meets RFP requirements.

• Took Dirigo Strategic Advisors' bid ($83,100 to $112,900) under advisement (3-0)

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The Penobscot County Court of Commissioners will meet to conduct a bid opening. The primary item on the agenda is the selection of on-site audit support.

• Bid opening for On-Site Audit Support

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The Board approved a $16 million Tax Anticipation Note and several agreements related to the Hammond Ridge development project. A public hearing for the Hammond Ridge TIF district was scheduled for March 4, and a TIF submittal extension was requested for March 31, 2026.

• Approved $16,000,000 Tax Anticipation Note (3-0)
• Approved Professional Fee Reimbursement Agreement for Hammond Ridge development (3-0)
• Scheduled public hearing for Hammond Ridge TIF District and Development Program for March 4 (3-0)
• Approved request to Maine Dept of Economic and Community Development for TIF deadline extension to March 31, 2026 (3-0)
• Approved January 28, 2026 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Approved payroll and A/P warrants totaling $1,525,512.51 (3-0)

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The Penobscot County Court of County Commissioners will meet to conduct an executive session regarding a contract matter. The meeting is scheduled for January 29, 2026.

• Executive Session under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) regarding a contract matter

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The board approved funding for a diversion program and authorized several payment warrants. They also received workforce updates from the NWDB and EMDC and a status report on ARPA grants.

• Approved $1,200 from Criminal Forfeiture account for Advent Diversion program (3-0)
• Approved January 21, 2026 meeting minutes (2-0)
• Approved Payroll Warrant 01.23.26 for $365,366.06 (3-0)
• Approved A/P General Fund Warrant 01.27.26 for $332,495.63 (3-0)
• Approved A/P Unorg Terr Warrant 01.27.26 for $28,994.91 (3-0)
• Approved A/P ARPA Warrant 01.27.26 for $18.00 (3-0)

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The County Commissioners will receive updates on District Attorney staffing and ARPA grant balances. The body will also discuss dates for tax abatement hearings and approve various payroll and accounts payable warrants.

• Review of ARPA grants and balances
• Discussion of tax abatement hearing dates
• DA office staffing and Advent Diversion update
• Approval of payroll and A/P warrants for General Fund, PRCC Bond, Unorg Terr, UT TIF, and ARPA

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The Board approved the AFSCME General Unit contract with retro pay and voted to oppose LD 2009. They also established a county advisory committee to study changing the budget year from calendar to fiscal. Various administrative appointments and warrants were approved.

• Approved AFSCME General Unit contract with retro pay from January 1 (3-0)
• Voted to oppose LD 2009 regarding federal bankruptcy proceedings (3-0)
• Approved formation of a county advisory committee for budget year changes (3-0)
• Approved Elizabeth Pelkey as Director and George Buswell as Alternate for Central Maine Highlands EMS-Fire District 1 (3-0)
• Approved exchanging payment for Mule II Litter Wheel gurney from PILT funds to UT funds (3-0)
• Approved warrants totaling $3,222,438.74 (3-0)
• Approved January 14th, 2026 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Approved entry into executive session for contract matter (3-0)

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The Penobscot County Commissioners will consider approving a General Unit Contract for January 2026 to December 2028. The body will also discuss Unorganized Territory (UT) leadership and property sales.

• Vote to approve Elizabeth Pelkey as Director and George Buswell as Alternate for Central Maine Highlands EMS / Fire District 1
• Approval of General Unit Contract for January 2026 to December 2028
• Update on Drew Township property sale
• Proposed change of Tax Abatement Hearing times to 9:00 AM on February 18 and March 4
• Discussion on George Buswell serving on the Municipal Waste Hub (MRC) Board of Directors

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The board approved a bid for new computers and a server lease quote while waiving the server bid process. They also approved language for the Maine State Retirement Plan change for FOP contracts and a PRCC personnel recommendation. Warrants totaling over $569,000 were approved.

• Approved January 7, 2026 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Approved $18,278.18 bid for Probate and Maintenance computers, but not the purchase (3-0)
• Waived bid process for new server (3-0)
• Accepted $39,998.99 5-year server lease quote, but held off on purchase (3-0)
• Approved Maine State Retirement Plan change language for FOP Contracts (3-0)
• Approved warrants including Payroll ($378,318.37) and A/P General Fund ($190,383.72) (3-0)
• Approved PRCC personnel recommendation (3-0)

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The Penobscot County Commissioners will meet to appoint a new County Administrator and review IT infrastructure quotes. The session includes updates from the NWDB and EMDC, as well as a public comment regarding road conditions in Argyle.

• Appointment of Blair Tinkham as New County Administrator
• IT quotes for a new server and new computers for Probate and Maintenance
• TAN Bid Opening
• Maine State Retirement Plan change
• Public comment from Peter Velanzon regarding Argyle road conditions

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The County Commissioners will meet to elect a Chair and approve minutes from December 31, 2025. The body will discuss HR policies regarding re-employment, out-of-state travel, and credit card usage. Three executive sessions are scheduled to discuss personnel and contract matters.

• Election of Chair
• HR Policy review: Re-employment, Out of State Travel, and Credit Card Usage
• Approval of Payroll and A/P warrants for General Fund, PRCC Bond, Unorg Terr, UT TIF, and ARPA
• Executive Session on personnel matters (1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A))
• Executive Session on contract matters (1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D))

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