County residents fear tax hike with $11 million bond proposal

An estimated 200 people filed into the courtroom in Machias on September 11, filling it beyond capacity for a public hearing by the Washington County commissioners to hear about the proposed $11 million bond to cover the recently discovered budget shortfall and to listen to what many of their neighbors had to say.

David Burns, chair of the commissioners, explained that plans to reconstruct county finances were incomplete and that the board is awaiting recommendations from the budget advisory committee. "We are not looking for a scapegoat," he said. "We're looking for a solution." Burns also stated that a second round of hearings will be conducted in each county commissioner district in the near future.

County Manager Renee Gray read a memo outlining the board's challenges. According to the memo, a review of the 2024 "budgeting revelations" showed that the county had not been "taxing enough to the municipalities for 2020‑2024 years," leading to "a major cashflow shortage which forced the commissioners to request bond counsel." This situation was exacerbated by difficulties in obtaining annual audits, a challenge also noted in other communities. Additionally, as the county's fiscal year did not coincide with that of the municipalities, the timing prevented prompt payment of the annual tax anticipation note, leading to additional interest expense. The result is that the county will ask voters to approve a bond of up to $11 million, which would incur an additional $2.6 million in interest if not paid early. Washington County voters will have their say in the matter during the November 4 election.

In response to a question about whether there was a plan B in case the planned referendum did not pass, Burns explained that there are several alternatives, but they were waiting to hear from the budget committee. The question then shifted to how to ensure that the situation would not repeat, even if the referendum does pass. The question received loud applause from the audience.

Robin Hadlock Seeley of Pembroke spoke of reviewing the last three financial statements -- all available on the county website -- and found the matter confusing and difficult to comprehend. For the most part, all of the speakers were polite and restrained, although focused and insistent. There were no pleas to reduce taxes, but many asked for specifics and about alternative plans.

Burns, in reply to one commenter, asked, "If we can't get from 2025 into 2026, where are we then?" His comment prompted Commissioner Billy Howard to point out, "If the state steps in, we're not going to like that." Burns then added, "We're reaching out to everybody to come up with a back‑up plan."

One person challenged Burns by asking, "Are you going to be transparent with all the taxpayers?" Burns replied, "I'll give you my phone number," which received the immediate response, "I'll call it!" Another pointed out, "People are going to hurt. You should be aware of this." Burns responded, "We are very aware of what we have to work with."

Several times during the discussion the term forensic audit was heard, but the subject was not pursued. This type of audit is typically used when malfeasance is suspected.

Nearly one and a half hours into the proceeding, former commission Chair Chris Gardner approached the microphone. He began by noting that of the three former commissioners, "I am the only one here." He continued, "People need to know, from 2019, every year the budget was underspent. I'm hearing a lot of words tonight, and I'm responsible." The increased cost of the sheriff's office, he noted, was because "the state police pulled out, the county had to do it."

Several times, Gardner said, "I'm sorry; I missed it," apologizing for the situation and at one point asking, "Does anybody remember COVID?" In closing he said, "I have been sick over this. We watched it as close as we could and couldn't get an audit."

Attorney Jeffrey Davidson addressed Burns, speaking in a prosecutorial manner, asking questions that he indicated had been asked in a previous meeting. The questions continued for a number of minutes, during which Burns made very few replies.

A woman who identified herself as being from Addison was one of several expressing concerns about increased taxation. "I'm done working," she said. "I pay my bills; I pay my taxes. Even though you may acknowledge [the situation], somebody has to pay for it. I love my home; I don't want to lose it."

One of the last speakers, Cindy Rossi, a long-time dispatcher at the Regional Communications Center, described hearing the anguish of people experiencing delays in obtaining urgently needed help. "If somebody is sick, they can call. If they're in a car accident, they can call." Concluding her plea, she said her worry was that a delayed response from emergency services, forcing her to say "you sit and wait," would lead to serious consequences.

By the time that no more speakers approached the microphone, nearly two and a half hours later, it was clear that most of the audience was exhausted. At that point, the regular commissioners' meeting began.