By Tammy Wells, York County Government
The York County government general fund budget for the fiscal year that begins July is proposed at $28.44 million, a $3.27 million increase over this year’s spending plan, or about 13 percent. According to County Manager Greg Zinser, the increase is primarily due to rising personnel and utility costs. In addition, skyrocketing municipal valuations set by the state are shifting the tax burden to the county’s cities and towns. “Some of the valuations have gone through the roof,” said Zinser, and are up overall by nearly $7 billion. Sanford’s 2024 valuation was $2.46 billion, and at $2.82 billion in 2025.
Zinser estimated about two-thirds of the $3.27 million increase is due to personnel costs and higher utility costs – a five-year electricity contract has expired and costs for other utilities, like telephone services, are up as well. Zinser also pointed out that about $1.4 million of the increase is due to jail costs. He noted the jail’s medically assisted treatment program, one of the largest in Maine, costs about $680,000 annually, for which the state provides an estimated $120,000. The state is expected to contribute $2.4 million to York County Jail for the new fiscal year, down from $2.75 million for the current year.
The departmental budget for the new regional first responder training center is proposed at slightly under $300,000. Commissioners voted to add $50,000 in contingency funding to cover any unexpected expenses. The departmental budget for the recovery center is proposed at slightly under $1.4 million, up 9.3% from the existing Layman Way Recovery Center, which is due to shutter later this year. Both the training and recovery centers are expected to go online in 2026.
Revenue aside from municipal assessments is projected to offset about $3.94 million of the $28.44 million proposed county budget.
Next steps are for the draft budget to move on to the York County Budget Committee for review, usually over a series of meetings, then on to a public hearing and then a vote. Draft budget documents can be found online at www.yorkcountymaine.gov/finance.
www.yorkcountymaine.gov/finance
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