Washington County Faces Public Outcry Over Proposed 40% Budget Hike and $11 Million Bond Referendum
Washington County officials are facing intense scrutiny after proposing a 40% budget increase for 2026. A packed public hearing in Machias, Maine, saw residents express outrage over the proposed budget, which aims to address a severe fiscal crisis. The budget is tied to an $11 million bond issue slated for a referendum on November 4th.
Mounting Debt and Fiscal Mismanagement
The proposed bond would allow Washington County to refinance debts accumulated due to years of alleged budget mismanagement that drained the county's reserves. Without the bond, the county faces the prospect of running out of money by the new year, despite being legally obligated to provide essential services. Commissioner Courtney Hammond acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “We’re screwed.” The root cause appears to be years of spending without proper verification of account balances, leading to a cash shortfall earlier this year and the accumulation of millions in debt due in December.
Public Concerns and Demands for Transparency
While residents will vote on the bond issue, they do not directly vote on the county budget. A budget advisory committee will review the proposal and negotiate with commissioners. Residents expressed concerns over voting on the bond referendum without a clear understanding of the consequences of its failure. Robin Hadlock Seeley of Pembroke stated she was uncomfortable voting without understanding the historical mismanagement. Julie Morgan of Northfield voiced outrage, questioning why taxpayers should "bail you out." Commissioner David Burns responded that they "had no alternative."
Blame and Accountability
Officials repeatedly shifted blame to previous commissioners, with the mismanagement primarily occurring under the tenure of prior commissioners and longtime treasurer Jill Holmes, who recently resigned. Former Commissioner Chris Gardner, who served for 20 years, stepped forward to apologize for not catching the errors sooner, stating, “If you want accountability, if you want somebody to blame … I’m your huckleberry. I’m sorry, I missed it.” Residents also called for a forensic audit and increased transparency.
Uncertain Future for Washington County
The outcome of the November 4th referendum remains uncertain. Eastport City Manager Brian Schuth, now chairing the advisory committee, warned that without action, the county won't have enough cash to function. If the bond fails, the commission reportedly lacks a concrete backup plan, although they mentioned having received suggestions from the bond council. The ultimate budget will necessitate increased financial contributions from Down East towns, potentially leading to difficult decisions regarding tax increases and service cuts at the town level.
