AUBURN — Androscoggin County Commissioners unanimously appointed county Treasurer Clarice Proctor as interim county administrator at their Wednesday meeting.

Clarice Proctor

Proctor will move into the position June 4, when Administrator Larry Post’s resignation takes effect. Proctor will handle both roles until a new county administrator is chosen.

Her knowledge of Androscoggin County government and working relationship with Post will aid in her transition. Commissioners had high praise for her.

Proctor will be paid an additional $1,500 per month on top of her current salary.

Hired as the county treasurer in 2018, Proctor was previously the finance director for Sagadahoc County. She also has a long history of working for area nonprofit organizations and agencies for more than 25 years.

In addition to serving as treasurer and interim administrator, Proctor also oversees the accounting for the county’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

In other business, commissioners approved the schedule for developing the 2023 budget. Meetings will begin Aug. 24 and continue the following two Wednesdays. A public hearing is tentatively set for Sept. 14, with the Budget Committee scheduled to begin its work Sept. 21.

The board held off on making any decisions on using the federal American Rescue Plan Act money until the second half of the expected $21 million is received. That payment is expected before the end of the month.

Commissioners, however, did approve a $3,000 expenditure for a compliance audit.

Post said the county has received a draft audit report and the news is good. The fund balance has risen back up to just over $1 million. It had dropped to $670,000 last year in what Post describes as the “COVID budget,” well below the recommended $2 million threshold.