Waldo County public meetings in 2023

Budget Committee

The Budget Committee will conduct a public hearing and a final meeting to review the proposed 2024 County Budget. The session includes a discussion and potential vote regarding the tax cap.

• Public hearing on the proposed 2024 County Budget
• Final Budget Committee meeting
• Discussion and potential vote on the tax cap

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners will review financial, probate, and deeds reports to close the books for the year. The meeting includes departmental reports and the presentation of a 2023 safety prize.

• Review of County Regular, Reserve, and Corrections/Reentry warrants
• End of year reports and closing of books for Register of Probate and Register of Deeds
• Presentation of 2023 Safety Prize
• Executive session for non-public information (MSRA Title 1 §405 (6)(F))
• Executive session for personnel matters (MSRA Title 1 §405 (6)(A))

Budget Committee

The Budget Committee is meeting to review budget requests for various county departments and agencies for 2024. The session includes presentations from department heads and a final review of all budget changes and figures.

• 1050 Jail Budget - Facilities Management
• 1076 Communications Budget
• 1070 Registry of Probate Budget
• 1021 Human Resources Budget
• 1035 Information Technology Budget

County Commissioners

The Waldo County Commissioners will meet to review financial, human resources, and facilities reports. The body will discuss a tax abatement request and emergency management construction projects.

• R. Martin vs. Frankfort 2023 Tax Abatement Request (Petition # 381)
• EMA construction projects and school mutual aid agreement
• County Regular, Reserve, and Corrections/Reentry Regular Warrants
• Three executive sessions regarding non-public information and personnel matters

Budget Committee

The Budget Committee is meeting to review budget requests for the 2024 fiscal year. The session includes reviews of various county departments and agencies.

• Facilities Management Budget (1030)
• Finance (1025), Audit (1090), Debt Service (1095), and Reserves (2045) Budgets
• Sheriff’s Office Budget (1075)
• Jail Budget (1050)
• Registry of Deeds Budget (1065)

Budget Committee

The 2024 Organizational Budget Committee will meet to review budget requests from various county departments and agencies. Representatives from law enforcement, emergency services, and community programs will present their financial needs.

• Emergency Management Budget
• District Attorney’s Budget
• Jail and Sheriff’s Budgets
• Waldo County Firefighters Association Budget
• Waldo County Soil & Water Conservation District Budget

County Commissioners

The Waldo County Commissioners will review departmental reports and handle administrative business. A key item on the agenda is the signing of a contract related to the former Superior Courthouse.

• Signing contract related to former Superior Courthouse
• Review of County Regular, Reserve, and Corrections/Reentry warrants
• Reports from Finance, IT, Human Resources, Facilities, and Register of Deeds

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners will receive reports from finance, IT, human resources, facilities, and the communications center. The meeting includes a public comment period and business from the Sheriff's Department. Four executive sessions are scheduled to discuss compensation and non-public information.

• Executive Session for discussion of compensation (MSRA Title 1§405(6)(A))
• Three Executive Sessions for discussion of non-public information (MSRA Title 1§405(6)(F))
• Review of Regular, Reserve, and Corrections/Reentry warrants and vouchers
• Sheriff's Department business presented by Chief Deputy Matt Curtis

Budget Committee

The 2024 Organizational Budget Committee will meet to elect a chairperson and review projected revenue. The committee will discuss budget requests for several county departments and employee benefits for 2025.

• Election of 2024 Budget Committee Chairperson
• Review of 2024 projected revenue
• Review of budget requests for Commissioners, Human Resources, Finance, and Information Technology
• Review of Audit, Debt Service, and Interest budgets
• Review of 2025 Employee Benefits

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners will meet to review regular and reserve warrants, as well as reports from finance, IT, human resources, EMA, and facilities. The session includes a period for public comment and an executive session to discuss non-public information.

• Review of County Regular & Reserve and Corrections/Reentry warrants
• EMA update on construction projects
• Executive Session for discussion of non-public information under MSRA Title 1 §405 (6) (F)

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners will meet to discuss real property in an executive session. The meeting also includes reports from finance, human services, IT, and facilities departments.

• Executive Session for discussion of real property per MRSA Title §405 (6) (C)
• Finance and Human Services Report from Kari Hunt
• IT Report from J-sun Bailey
• Facilities Report from Christopher Bryant

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners are meeting to discuss budget requests and reports from various county departments and external organizations. The session includes reviews of budgets for public safety, administration, and community services.

• Budget reviews for Sheriff, Jail, and District Attorney
• Budget reviews for EMA, IT, and Facilities
• Budget reviews for WCAP, Camp Capella, and From Above
• Review of Audit 1090, Debt Service 1095, and Reserves 2045
• Executive Session regarding non-public information under MRSA Title 1 405(6)(F)

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners will meet to review financial, IT, human resources, and sheriff's reports. The session includes a discussion on EMA/ARPA and budget ideas from the Department Heads Association.

• Review of County Regular, Reserve, and Corrections/Reentry warrants and vouchers
• EMA/ARPA report
• Budget ideas from Department Heads Association

The Commissioners approved the hiring of two deputies and several personnel pay adjustments. They authorized payroll and accounts payable warrants totaling $497,494.95 and allocated $142,000 to the Future Technology Reserve.

• Allocated $142,000 from Knox County to Future Technology Reserve (Unanimous)
• Authorized General Fund payroll and accounts payable of $306,543.31 (Unanimous)
• Authorized MCRRC payroll and accounts payable of $190,951.64 (Unanimous)
• Approved hire of Jacob Pierce at $34.14 per hour (Unanimous)
• Approved hire of Bobby O’Leary at $26.45 per hour (Unanimous)
• Approved new hourly rate of $32.80 for Corporal John Shirk (Unanimous)
• Approved job assignment and $28.00 hourly rate for Robert Walker (Unanimous)
• Tabled education reimbursement for Felicia Gray pending further research (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The board approved the creation of a separate Human Resources Department budget for 2024 and authorized two payment warrants totaling $391,512.19. It was decided that the Commissioners, Finance, and Human Resources offices will now be open to the public on Wednesdays.

• Approved MCRRC/Corrections Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant for $125,020.12 (Unanimous)
• Approved General Fund Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant for $266,492.07 (Unanimous)
• Approved creation of a Human Resources Department budget for 2024 (Unanimous)
• Approved B. Johnson to attend the Convention to represent Waldo County (Unanimous)
• Decided Commissioners, Finance, and Human Resources offices will be open to the public on Wednesdays
• Decided no overtime allowed in Commissioners Office without prior approval by two commissioners
• Decided a third notice will be sent to municipalities regarding Budget Committee members

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners are meeting for a special session to conduct executive sessions. These sessions will focus on employment and the discussion of duties and assignments.

• Executive Session regarding employment (MRSA Title 1§405(6)(A))
• Executive Session regarding duties and assignments (MRSA Title 1§405(6)(A))
• Review of warrants, vouchers, and finance report

Commissioners unanimously approved a tentative proposal to Knox County to handle their 9-1-1 calls. The proposal includes costs for three additional staff, a $5.00 per hour pay increase for 9-1-1 employees, and $140,000.00 for technology and infrastructure.

• Approved tentative proposal to Knox County to take over 9-1-1 calls (Unanimous)
• Approved request for $140,000.00 for technology, phones, and infrastructure (Unanimous)
• Approved request for half of combined staffing and infrastructure costs up front from Knox County (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The board approved the sale of the former Waldo County Superior Courthouse to the City of Belfast. They also authorized several new hires for the Sheriff's Office and Communications Center and approved two payment warrants totaling $297,607.44.

• Approved sale of former Waldo County Superior Courthouse to City of Belfast (Unanimous)
• Authorized $243,120.80 General Fund Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant (Unanimous)
• Authorized $54,486.64 MCRRC Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant (Unanimous)
• Hired Aaron Santana as full-time uncertified Patrol Officer at $26.45/hour (Unanimous)
• Hired Brooke Hartshorn as certified full-time Patrol Officer at $35.50/hour (Unanimous)
• Hired Daphne Manuel as uncertified full-time Dispatcher at $19.08/hour (Unanimous)
• Hired Devon Fairbrother as uncertified full-time Dispatcher at $19.08/hour (Unanimous)
• Voted to remove business telephone lines at the Dispatch Center (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners will meet to discuss labor proposals, facility renovations, and technology reports. The session includes a budget caucus with Selectboard and Budget Committee members for the 2024 county budget.

• 2024 County Budget Caucus
• Discussion of NCEU Labor Proposal
• Update on Deeds and D.A.’s Offices Renovations
• Discussion regarding cameras with Stockton Springs Chief Darrin Moody
• Information Technology and Human Resources reports

The board approved a new labor contract for the National Corrections Employees Union for 2023-2025. They also authorized several payroll warrants and personnel changes, including the hiring of a new dispatcher and the appointment of a permanent Facilities Manager.

• Accepted National Corrections Employees Union contract for 2023-2025 (Unanimous)
• Approved General Fund and payroll warrant of $345,148.14 (Unanimous)
• Approved MCRRC Accounts Payable and payroll warrant of $388,669.57 (Unanimous)
• Added EMA Director Dale Rowley as signer on Bangor Savings State Funds account (Unanimous)
• Approved adding Stockton Springs to County's Watchguard active directory (Unanimous)
• Hired Gina Anderson as Class II Certified full time dispatcher with $1,000 bonus (Unanimous)
• Appointed Christopher Bryant as permanent full time Facilities Manager effective August 1, 2023 (Unanimous)
• Accepted resignations of Daniel Perez and Frank Pellerin (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners are meeting for a special session. The primary purpose of the meeting is an executive session to discuss employment matters.

• Executive Session regarding employment per MRSA Title 1§405(6)(A)

The Waldo County Commissioners held a special session to discuss employment in executive session. The board voted to hire a new Finance Director.

• Hired Kari Hunt as Finance Director effective July 31, 2023, at a salary of $61,000.00 (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners are meeting for a special session. The primary purpose of the meeting is an executive session to discuss employment matters.

• Executive Session for discussion of employment per MRSA Title 1§405(6)(A)
• Review of warrants, vouchers, and finance report

The Commissioners held a special court session and entered executive session to discuss employment. No action was taken before the meeting adjourned.

• Entered executive session for employment discussion (Unanimous)
• Exited executive session with no action taken (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners will review finance, information technology, and human resources reports. The meeting includes a discussion on a sign-on bonus and two executive sessions regarding real property and personnel assignments.

• Review of County Regular, Reserve, and Corrections/Reentry Regular warrants
• Discussion of sign-on bonus with Sheriff Jason Trundy
• Executive session regarding the use of real property (MRSA Title 1§405(6)(C))
• Executive session regarding duties and assignments (MRSA Title 1§405(6)(A))

County Commissioners

The board approved a $3.00 per hour base pay increase for the Deputy Sheriff’s Association and a 4% cost of living increase for non-union employees in the 2024 budget. They also hired a new Patrol Deputy and a Garden Manager/Civil Deputy. A request to give employees July 3rd off was denied.

• Approved hiring Lucas Babcock as full-time Patrol Deputy at $23.45 per hour with $7,500 sign-on bonus (Unanimous)
• Denied request for employees to have July 3, 2023 off (Unanimous)
• Approved hiring Dale Cross as Garden Manager and Civil Deputy in one 32-hour per week position (Unanimous)
• Approved $3.00 per hour base pay increase for Deputy Sheriff’s Association (2-1)
• Approved 4% Cost of Living Increase for all non-union employees in the 2024 budget (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Commissioners voted to direct Alfond grant reimbursements into the General Fund and approved a $2,700 website redesign. Several payment warrants were authorized, and the board approved a wellness reimbursement increase for employees.

• Approved Alfond grant reimbursements to go into the General Fund (2-1)
• Authorized $38,150.00 payment for SUD/LEAD grant program (Unanimous)
• Authorized $2,484.00 payment for NCEU union dues (Unanimous)
• Authorized $37,826.26 General Fund Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant (Unanimous)
• Authorized $174,832.36 payroll warrant (Unanimous)
• Authorized $6,902.18 MCRRC Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant (Unanimous)
• Authorized $51,825.44 payroll warrant (Unanimous)
• Approved $2,700.00 for website redesign (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Waldo County Commissioners will meet to review finance, human resources, and IT reports. The session includes a discussion on a new hire and a promotion within the Sheriff's office. The meeting will conclude with an executive session regarding non-public information.

• Human Resources report and new hire
• Sheriff's report and promotion
• Finance report for County Regular, Reserve, and Corrections/Reentry warrants
• Executive Session under M.R.S.A. Title 1§405(6)(F)

The board approved a contract between Waldo County, Knox County, and the Lincoln and Sagadahoc Multi-County Jail Authority. They also authorized several payroll warrants, personnel promotions, and new hires. Additionally, the board approved the donation of old tower system equipment to the EMA and HAM radio users.

• Approved jail agreement with Knox County and Lincoln/Sagadahoc Authority (Unanimous)
• Approved $47,185.07 General Fund Accounts Payable warrant (Unanimous)
• Approved $67,183.55 MCRRC Accounts Payable warrant (Unanimous)
• Approved $169,769.53 County payroll and $46,715.91 MCRRC payroll (Unanimous)
• Approved $7,500 sign-on bonus for Deputy Dennis Townsend (Unanimous)
• Approved promotion of Deputy Travis Spencer to Corporal at $29.95/hr (Unanimous)
• Approved $7,500 sign-on bonus for Detective Frank Pellerin (Unanimous)
• Hired Audra Dawson as Victim Witness Advocate at $23.37/hr (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners will meet to review warrants, vouchers, and the finance report. The session includes reports from Human Resources, Information Technology, and Facilities management.

• Review of County Regular & Reserve and Corrections/Reentry Regular warrants
• Human Resources Report from Annette McLaggan
• Information Technology Report from J-sun Bailey
• Facilities Report from Christopher Bryant

The Waldo County Commissioners approved a new form for organizations requesting county funding, adopted unanimously. They also discussed a new state mandate requiring law enforcement to collect demographic data during traffic stops, with no funding mechanism identified, and agreed to a free demo of Motorola's Mobile software. A garden manager position was proposed for future consideration, funded by Community Corrections Act funds.

• Adopted funding request form for organizations seeking county funds (unanimous)
• Authorized payment of $66,003.22 General Fund warrant (unanimous)
• Authorized payment of $6,096.64 MCRRC warrant (unanimous)
• Filed financial report (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from April 6 and April 20, 2023 sessions (unanimous)
• Directed commissioner to research creating a garden manager position paid from CCA funds (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Waldo County Commissioners held a special session to appoint a new Finance Director. The board voted unanimously to hire Stephanie Cross for the full-time position.

• Hired Stephanie Cross as full-time Finance Director at a starting salary of $58,000.00 (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners will review financial, human resources, information technology, and facilities reports. The body will also discuss follow-up policy and fee schedules and hold an award ceremony for the Spirit of America Foundation.

• Review of Regular and Reserve and Corrections/Reentry warrants/vouchers
• Follow-up on policy and fee schedules with Chief Deputy Matt Curtis
• 2022 Spirit of America Foundation Honorees Award Ceremony

The Commissioners updated civil service rates to increase revenue and accepted the resignation of Finance Director Matthew Varney. They also authorized several warrants for general fund and payroll payments and approved the sale of unusable county vehicles to dealerships.

• Updated civil service rates as recommended April 6, 2023 (Unanimous)
• Accepted resignation of Finance Director Matthew Varney (Unanimous)
• Authorized $42,063.55 General Fund Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant (Unanimous)
• Authorized $25,494.44 MCRRC Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant (Unanimous)
• Approved $178,038.08 County Payroll for April 13, 2023 (Unanimous)
• Approved $49,053.27 Jail/MCRRC payroll for April 13, 2023 (Unanimous)
• Appointed more than one authorized representative for Bank of America credit cards (Unanimous)
• Rerouted WEX vehicle fuel bills from Sheriff’s Office to County Finance Office (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The commissioners approved the hiring of Matthew Varney as Finance Director and Christopher Bryant as Facilities Manager. The board also authorized locking in a propane price and ordered the collection of all unauthorized employee credit cards.

• Approved hiring Matthew Varney as Finance Director ($58,000/yr) (Unanimous)
• Approved hiring Christopher Bryant as Facilities Manager ($50,000/yr) (Unanimous)
• Approved locking down propane price at $1.78 per gallon (Unanimous)
• Instructed department heads to collect all employee credit cards and return them to the finance office (Unanimous)
• Approved step raise for Noah Davis to $21.80/hr (Unanimous)
• Approved new hires Logan Hanscom and Arryn Garey at $19.08/hr and Margaret Williams at $21.39/hr (Unanimous)
• Accepted financial report and approved paying bills (Unanimous)
• Accepted payroll for 3/30/23 totaling $213,817.43 (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Commissioners hired Matthew Varney as Finance Director and approved a budget transfer to cover expenditures. The board also discussed rising electricity costs and potential future interest budget adjustments.

• Hired Matthew Varney as Finance Director at a salary of $58,000.00 (Unanimous)
• Approved transfer of $65,000.00 from Facilities, All Other to the General Fund (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The board authorized payroll payments totaling $231,134.48 and approved a contract with Haley Ward for architectural and engineering services. Officials also provided updates on the Swanville project construction and IT infrastructure quotes.

• Authorized MCRRC payroll payment of $45,845.20 (Unanimous)
• Authorized County General Account payroll payment of $185,289.28 (Unanimous)
• Authorized total payroll payment of $231,134.48 (Unanimous)
• Approved architectural/engineering agreement with Haley Ward for $27,000.00 with a $5,000.00 retainer (Unanimous)
• Filed the finance report (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Commissioners unanimously voted to terminate Finance Director Patricia Parker's probationary employment immediately. The board also approved several payroll warrants, the purchase of two non-pursuit vehicles, and enrollment in a workforce development program.

• Terminated probationary employment of Finance Director Patricia Parker immediately (Unanimous)
• Approved General Fund Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant and payroll of $345,234.31 (Unanimous)
• Approved MCRRC (Corrections) Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant and payroll of $106,545.84 (Unanimous)
• Approved payment for H.R. Director to attend four-day H.R. Conference in May (Unanimous)
• Approved purchase of two non-pursuit vehicles based on Chief Deputy and Lieutenant recommendations (Unanimous)
• Approved enrollment with the Maine Workforce Development Compact (Unanimous)
• Filed the Financial Report (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Waldo County Commissioners will meet to review regular, reserve, and corrections reentry warrants. The session includes reports on new hires, promotions, and updates on ARPA projects.

• Review of February 16, 2023 Regular, Reserve and Corrections Reentry Regular Warrants
• ARPA Projects Updates presented by EMA Director Dale Rowley
• New Hires and Promotions report by Chief Deputy Matthew Curtis
• IT Report from Director J-sun Bailey
• Human Resources Report from Director Annette McLaggan

The board signed the 2023 Waldo County Tax & Jail Tax Commitments and authorized payroll warrants totaling $680,770.78. They approved four personnel changes in law enforcement and hired a part-time IT technician. The board also granted a $5,000 salary increase for the Human Resources/Payroll Director.

• Approved 2023 Waldo County Tax & Jail Tax Commitments (Unanimous)
• Authorized General Fund Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant of $340,385.39 (Unanimous)
• Authorized MCRRC (Corrections) Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant of $340,385.39 (Unanimous)
• Hired Dennis Townsend as Patrol Deputy at $31.48 per hour with $15,000 sign-on bonus (Unanimous)
• Promoted Chad Foley to Sergeant at $35.36 per hour (Unanimous)
• Promoted Frank Pellerin to Detective at $31.48 per hour (Unanimous)
• Promoted Joshua Staples to Detective (Unanimous)
• Hired Ray Monreal as part-time IT Technician at $25.00 per hour (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The board authorized payments for General Fund and Jail accounts and approved a contract with Revision Energy. They also approved the hire of a part-time office assistant and accepted two employee resignations.

• Approved Revision Energy Contract for $172,219.00 (Unanimous)
• Authorized General Fund Accounts Payable payment of $377,871.56 (Unanimous)
• Authorized Jail Accounts Payable & Reserve Warrant payment of $77,555.92 (Unanimous)
• Approved hire of Susan Prisco as part-time Office Assistant at $21.50/hr (Unanimous)
• Approved continuing litigation in opioid class action suit (Unanimous)
• Accepted resignation of Facilities Manager Keith Nealley
• Accepted resignation of Casey Ashey from full-time position (Unanimous)
• Accepted resignation of Jan Banks (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Commissioners approved a solar energy contract with Revision Energy and hired Annette McLaggan as Human Resources Director. The board also authorized payroll and accounts payable warrants and signed the 2023 Tax Anticipation Note.

• Approved contract with Revision Energy for solar installation (Unanimous)
• Hired Annette McLaggan as Human Resources Director at a salary of $59,000.00 (Unanimous)
• Accepted and signed the 2023 Tax Anticipation Note at an interest rate of 4.9% (Unanimous)
• Authorized General Fund Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant and payroll of $314,554.02 (Unanimous)
• Authorized MCRRC (Corrections) Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant and payroll of $140,053.24 (Unanimous)
• Filed the Financial Report (Unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Commissioners appointed William Shorey as Chairman for 2023 and approved a 14-year lease contract with ATC Sequoia American Towers. The board also authorized two payment warrants totaling $319,459.60 and hired a new full-time dispatch trainee.

• Appointed William Shorey as Commissioner Chairman for 2023 (Unanimous)
• Maintained existing Commissioners’ committee representations and assignments (Unanimous)
• Authorized General Fund Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant of $262,405.97 (Unanimous)
• Authorized MCRRC (Corrections) Accounts Payable and Reserve warrant of $57,053.63 (Unanimous)
• Hired David Kreutchic as full-time dispatch trainee at $21.80/hour starting Jan 16, 2023
• Approved 14-year contract lease with ATC Sequoia American Towers (Unanimous)
• Approved 2023 business mileage rate of 65.5 cents per mile (Unanimous)
• Filed the Financial Report (Unanimous)