County approves multiple tax‑abatement adjustments, debates AI‑assisted checklist for hearings Penobscot County commissioners granted a Kaufman abatement (assessment set to $130,000), denied Simmons and Keene requests, and approved a $12,500 land‑value reduction in Duroch. Commissioners also debated a draft abatement checklist and whether AI should be used to analyze hearing materials.

Penobscot County commissioners made significant tax-abatement decisions while sparking a heated debate over the use of AI in their administrative processes.

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #OpenGov #AIInnovation

LUPC outlines multi‑phase update to comprehensive land‑use plan; county commissioners to review survey in May Acting planning manager Stacy Benjamin and acting executive director Ben Dodson told Penobscot County commissioners that the Land Use Planning Commission has launched a three‑phase update to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, with a public survey due this spring and community workshops planned for late summer and fall.

The Land Use Planning Commission is launching a comprehensive update to its land-use plan, inviting public input through surveys and workshops that could shape the future of Penobscot County.

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #PublicParticipation #LandUsePolicy

Everyone: You’re such a great candidate, how come I haven’t heard anything about your campaign?

Me: (see video)

Care to fix this Penobscot County Democratic Committee?

#mepolitics #mainedems #democrat #maine #midterms #midterms2026 #ussenate #heybangor #bangor #penobscot #penobscotcounty

Regional development board seeks $167,000 from Penobscot County to support northern recovery; commissioners point to TIF and PILT limits Representatives from the regional development board requested roughly $167,000 for an economic development position and programs to boost northern Penobscot County. Commissioners acknowledged needs but said county budget constraints mean the request should go to the TIF committee and other funders first.

The regional development board is pushing for $167,000 to fuel economic growth in northern Penobscot County, but can budget constraints hold back their ambitious plans?

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #JobCreation #CommunityRecovery

Penobscot County approves $15.8 million tax anticipation note; adopts 2026 municipal tax assessment Penobscot County commissioners on Feb. 27 approved a $15.8 million tax anticipation note to cover operating cash needs and unanimously adopted the county's 2026 municipal tax assessment of $29,009,406; commissioners also approved printed warrants by voice vote.

Penobscot County commissioners have taken a bold step by approving a $15.8 million tax anticipation note to address pressing budget needs while also finalizing the 2026 municipal tax assessment at $29 million.

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #CommunityFinance

Penobscot County Commission authorizes application to form Hammond Ridge TIF district The Penobscot County Commission voted to authorize filing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) development program and application for the Hammond Ridge/Twin Pines project, allowing staff to move forward with an application that could capture about $2.5 million of new assessed value and permit a future credit enhancement agreement.

The Penobscot County Commission just took a bold step towards economic growth by approving an application for a new Tax Increment Financing district that could reshape the Hammond Ridge/Twin Pines area with residential neighborhoods and mixed-use amenities!

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Penobscot County draft seeks $8 million from governor for jail costs, plans legislative visits to Augusta County leaders discussed a revised letter asking the governor for $8,000,000 tied to jail/corrections funding, prepared supporting fact sheets, and agreed to pursue meetings in Augusta with legislators and appropriations chairs to press the request.

Penobscot County leaders are pushing for $8 million from the governor to tackle escalating corrections costs and improve infrastructure—will they get the support they need?

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #LocalGovAI #InfrastructureSupport #CorrectionsFunding

Opioid advisory committee: awardees selected but contracts delayed; committee needs appointments and guidance on roughly $1.4M in settlement funds County opioid advisory committee representatives told the Penobscot County Commission that awardees have been selected but contracts are delayed pending legal review, several committee members have resigned, the committee needs a law-enforcement representative per policy, and they asked for guidance on how much of about $1.4 million in settlement funds should be released in the next RFP cycle.

The Penobscot County opioid advisory committee has selected its awardees, but legal delays and resignations are holding up crucial funding—what's next for the $1.4 million in settlement funds?

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #SubstanceAbuse

Advisory committee urges quick release of opioid-settlement awards as contract review continues The Penobscot County advisory committee agreed to push forward contracts and issue award checks to grantees while a county lawyer reviews the template; members also debated interest use, account transparency and recorded recent spending and remaining balances.

Penobscot County's advisory committee is racing to get opioid-settlement funds into the hands of grantees, prioritizing quick action over delays in contract reviews.

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #AccountabilityTransparency #OpioidRecovery #PublicFunding

Penobscot County sets March 4 hearing, authorizes staff to draft Hammond Ridge TIF and credit agreement The Penobscot County Commission authorized staff to prepare a tax-increment financing (TIF) development program and credit enhancement agreement for the proposed Hammond Ridge Development, approved a professional-fees arrangement (developer to cover up to $25,000 of county review costs), set a public hearing for March 4, and authorized a letter to DECD seeking a March 31 filing extension.

Penobscot County is gearing up for a pivotal public hearing on March 4 to discuss the exciting Hammond Ridge Development and its tax-increment financing proposal!

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Workforce board presents Penobscot County labor-market snapshot, highlights training priorities Galen Williamson of the Northeastern Workforce Development Board told commissioners Penobscot County’s labor force is about 77,000 with a 60% participation rate, a 3.3% unemployment rate, a 13.5% poverty rate, and a low disconnected-youth rate (1.3%). He urged focus on high-wage, benefit-providing jobs and training partnerships.

Penobscot County's labor market shows both promise and challenges, with a 3.3% unemployment rate and a call for targeted training to secure high-wage jobs.

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #EconomicGrowth #SkillTraining #CitizenPortal

Penobscot County officials say 2023 audit about 75% complete; 2024 work tied to reconciliation County officials reported that 2023 audit work is about 75% complete and said 2024 audit activity will wait until the 2023 fund-balance reconciliation is finished. Finance staff set internal goals for preparing 2024 records as auditors’ availability allows.

Penobscot County officials announced that the 2023 audit is 75% complete, but the 2024 work hinges on finalizing the fund balance—what's the plan moving forward?

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Penobscot County revises 2026 budget, commissioners press state on jail funding The Penobscot County Commission opened a public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget, approved a roughly $1 million reduction, and reiterated calls for state action to address rising jail costs while staff prepare a revised budget for final vote.

Penobscot County commissioners are making significant budget cuts while urging state action to alleviate the mounting costs of jail operations.

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #FiscalPolicy #PenobscotCountyBudget #PublicSafety #StateFunding #CitizenPortal

Penobscot County approves amended 2026 budget to address jail deficit The Penobscot County Commission unanimously approved an amended 2026 budget on Dec. 30 that includes a roughly 13–16% increase over 2025 driven largely by jail-related shortfalls; the board allocated $75,000 in PILT revenue for consulting and transitional costs and heard public comment urging alternatives to building a new jail.

Penobscot County's budget just took a hit, with a 13-16% increase driven by jail deficits, sparking a public debate on alternatives to a new facility.

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #PenobscotCountyJail #CriminalJusticeReform #FiscalTransparency #CitizenPortal

County releases $100K to United Way for new project funding County officials approve funding for United Way's project aimed at community improvement.

Penobscot County just approved a whopping $100K for the United Way to fuel exciting community projects—find out what’s next for local improvements!

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #DigitalTransformation #PublicFunding #CitizenPortal

Town Council approves East Millinocket fire and ambulance service agreements Council unanimously accepts increased fire and ambulance service contracts with East Millinocket.

Penobscot County Commissioners have made bold moves in their latest meeting, approving significant increases in fire and ambulance service contracts while ensuring community safety remains a top priority.

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #FoodSovereignty #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

Bangor officials discuss storage building plans amid setback regulations Bangor seeks solutions for storage building amid planning board requirements and space challenges.

Penobscot County Commissioners are grappling with zoning hurdles and potential parking losses as they navigate the complex path to constructing a much-needed storage building.

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #UrbanPlanning #PenobscotCountyStorage #ZoningRegulations #CitizenPortal

Commissioners appoint Barbara Veil to TIF Committee to enhance local expertise Commissioners unanimously approve Barbara Veil's appointment to the TIF Committee.

Penobscot County commissioners have made a game-changing move by appointing seasoned pro Barbara Veil to fill a crucial vacancy on the Tax Increment Financing committee!

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #LocalGovernance #CommunityCollaboration #CitizenPortal

Northern Workforce Development Board nominates Commissioner Marshall to CEO role Commissioners appoint Marshall to represent Penobscot County on Northeastern Workforce Development Board.

Penobscot County is making waves in workforce development with the nomination of Commissioner Marshall and crucial updates on job seeker programs!

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#PenobscotCounty #ME #JobSeekerSupport #CitizenPortal #LocalEconomyInitiatives

Birth Of The Shining (t) An interesting fella lives here. Bangor, Maine 2014

Birth Of The Shining (t)

An interesting fella lives here.

Bangor, Maine 2014
Full-size image: flic.kr/p/Ji6SPM

#Birth_Of_The_Shining #BirthOfTheShining #Hogwash_Book_Twenty_Three #HogwashBookTwentyThree #Bangor #Maine #Penobscot_County #PenobscotCounty

Some #Fungi the family and I saw on a hike this summer.
#Maine
#PenobscotCounty