AUBURN — It took a couple of votes Wednesday night, but the Androscoggin County Commission found money in the budget to offset a $15,000 increase in the commissioners’ legal fees account.

The decision on legal fees was the final line item that needed clarification in the amended 2017 county budget. 

In their original proposed budget, commissioners had requested $60,000 for legal fees, but the Budget Committee, concerned with the high cost of legal fees because of a lawsuit between the commissioners and the municipalities, cut that amount to $45,000. 

The two sides have been in a bitter dispute for more than a year concerning which group had final say over the county budget — the commissioners or the Budget Committee.

Last week, a judge ruled that commissioners do have final say over all budget items, except for their salaries. The judge, however, agreed with the municipalities that commissioners overstepped their authority in adjusting their salaries above the Budget Committee recommendations two years ago, but they are not required to pay back the extra money they received.

The municipalities have until next week to appeal that decision.

Commissioners felt strongly that the extra money was needed for legal fees in case of an appeal.

“It’s unfortunate that we feel we have to do that,” Commissioner Beth Bell of Auburn said.

Not wanting to increase the overall budget by $15,000, commissioners sought to find a place in the budget to absorb that amount.

Commissioner Elaine Makas made the motion that they take $15,000 from the expected revenues from the Risk Pool, but that was defeated by a 3-3 vote.

Makas, Bell and Commissioner Randall Greenwood voted for the measure, while Chairwoman Sally Christner, Commissioner Alfreda Fournier and Melissa Willette, new commissioner, voted no.

Commissioner Matthew Roy was not present for the vote, having left early for a Lewiston School Committee meeting.

County Administrator Larry Post suggested the money could come out of the county reserve account. Commissioners agreed, voting 6-0 to take the $15,000 from that account only if legal fees exceed $45,000.

Commissioners decided not to vote to increase the County Assessment Limit after attorney Bryan Dench said the state law did not apply because of the county charter and the recent court ruling.

Attorneys Dench and Ronald Lebel met with commissioners in executive session for 50 minutes to discuss the lawsuit.

Willette took the oath of office following her selection last week by a caucus of Lewiston Republicans in District 2. Willette replaces Ronald Chicoine, who resigned in early November, saying he was likely to move out of the district after placing his home for sale.

Makas expressed concern she’s heard from some county employees about changes that eliminated “Casual Fridays,” a day when employees can dress down. 

Post made the change, saying it is important for county employees to look professional “five days a week,” but said he would revisit the policy. 

ssherlock@sunjournal.com