Boothbay Selectmen want the Lincoln County Commissioners to explain why the commissioners decided not to join the Midcoast Economic Development District. This is the second consecutive year the county declined to pay the $20,000 membership fee.

Last year, the county used the Lincoln County Planning Commission as the main resource and contracted with the MCEDD for specific services.

While the selectmen reviewed the $8,703,382 county budget on Jan. 28, Boothbay Town Manager James Chaousis told the board that the commissioners’ decision jeopardizes federal Economic Development Administration funding for projects Boothbay would like to do.

The town is hoping to qualify for EDA funding at a dollar per dollar match up to $70,000 for the Route 27 utility expansion. The town lobbied for the project to make the Comprehensive Economic Develop Strategy (CEDS) list, which qualifies for EDA funding.

If the county is not a paying MCEDD member, the town wouldn’t be eligible for the funds.

“We advocated desperately to get the Route 27 project listed on the CEDS list as a regionally significant project,” Chaousis said. “If MCEDD selects the project for funding, and we’re not a member, then tough, we won’t get any money.”

Last year, the commissioners opted to use the Lincoln County Planning Association as the main provider for services. The county used MCEDD on a contractual basis to provide services not covered by LCPC. Chaousis believes the county will do the same this year.

He proposed the selectmen inquire about rationale for not joining MCEDD. Chaousis characterized the county’s decision as strange for another reason.

He believed MCEDD should have a strong advocate within county government as Commissioner William Blodgett is on the agency’s board of directors.

The selectmen also want to explore joining MCEDD as an individual member. Selectman Steven Lewis proposed asking MCEDD to allow Boothbay to pay the town’s portion of the county’s membership fee. This would qualify the town for EDA funds and discounts on municipal supplies like sand and salt.

The selectmen are also considering joining the Midcoast Council of Governments. According to Chaousis, MCOG membership would qualify Boothbay for EDA grants.

The selectmen discussed joining other Lincoln County municipalities questioning how the budget is prepared. Selectman Charles Cunningham requested the board ask the commissioners for additional budget information because information was difficult to find.

“There is no breakdown on revenue, so it’s hard to read,” Cunningham said. “I read a news report where a number of other municipalities are questioning information about Lincoln County Recycling. I think we should also start asking more questions as well.”

The selectmen discussed the county’s decision not to join MCEDD and how the budget was prepared during their Jan. 28 board meeting. Chaousis provided the selectmen with county’s fiscal year 2015 budget, which was approved in December. Chaousis estimated Boothbay would pay $1,141,151 in county taxes, which is $350 less than it paid last year.

“It’s really hard to forecast, but if the commissioners use the same amount of overlay and surplus to offset taxes as last year, it looks we’ll pay a little less this year,” he said.

Boothbay won’t know the final county tax contribution until May. Chaousis reported that Boothbay’s valuation decreased by 0.5 percent and the county’s increased by 4.7 percent. Also county expenses increased by 4.2 percent and revenues rose 12 percent.

In other action, the selectmen approved continuing human resources projects after Chaousis leaves next month. Chaousis along with Laurie Bouchard of LBouchard & Associates of Jefferson have been updating human resource paperwork and proposing changes to better monitor employees. The selectmen approved to proceed with implementing an employee time clock, digital password computer security system, and continue staff trainings.

The board is also working on updating the personnel policy. The selectmen are proposing to require employees contribute to their retirement plan. The town currently contributes 10 percent of an employee’s pay.

The selectmen debated two possible employee contribution plans. Each plan required an employee contribution to qualify for the full 10 percent employer payment.

One proposal would require an one percent employee contribution. The other requires a five percent contribution. If employees don’t contribute, then the selectmen are considering reducing the employer’s contribution.

The selectmen discussed implementing the five percent requirement over five years. Employees would be required to pay an additional one percent a year until they reached the five percent level.

The selectmen will discuss retirement fund changes at their next meeting. Once the board finalizes their recommendations, the proposal will be given to the employees for review. The employees will have 30 days to comment prior to adoption.

The selectmen will meet next at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015.