A meeting was held Dec. 11 between the members of Two Bridges Regional Jail Authority and the legislative delegation for Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties.

Billed as an informational luncheon, the invitation extended by Col. Mark Westrum, administrator of the jail, promised “an opportunity for jail authority members from Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties to discuss with you the current situation at the jail and the significant financial issues that have plagued the facility since LD 186 was passed the last session.”

Of concern is the state’s $12,200,000 funding for county jails that resulted from changes to an existing bill in the waning hours of the legislative session that ended in July.

The legislators heard unvarnished news about the jail’s budget from Westrum, law enforcement executives and the county commissioners. In addition to the removal of $2,400,000 in funding, the new law prevents receiving jails in Maine from charging sending counties a per diem rate for prisoners housed at Two Bridges.

“Funds for boarding should follow the inmate wherever the inmate goes,” Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry said. Merry is also the president of the Maine Sheriffs Association and appeared repeatedly before the Legislature during the LD 186 discussions.

Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett said,“We had to make a conscious decision not to accept inmates from other counties because we don’t have the funding for them.”

Commissioner Hamilton Meserve of Lincoln County provided the fiscal details, explaining that the reimbursed cost per inmate from the state is $22.96 per day, yet the actual daily cost to house an inmate at TBRJ is $109. Put in terms of the county’s budget, Meserve said: “Thirty-five percent of the county tax bill to the towns is for jail expenses.” Westrum added, “We’re running on fumes.”

Westrum guided the legislators through the budget cuts made at TBRJ in order to accommodate its $6,500,000 budget, including eliminating programs geared to prevent inmates from re-entering the criminal justice system.

The delegation was also advised that a result of the recently approved 10 additional drug enforcement agents statewide would increase the number of inmates in county jails and therefore the expense.

Looking ahead, Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville, said the Legislature needs to allow per diem rates to be set and allow counties to address finances.

Lincoln County Commissioner Mary Trescott said she was pleased with the attendance by the delegation. Lincoln County Administrator John O’Connelll felt that the legislators were getting a better understanding of the funding and the sense of urgency facing the county.