AUBURN — Androscoggin County is one of the best governmental agencies in the country at handling federal pandemic relief money, according to an analyst for Berry Dunn, a national accounting firm assisting the county in its administration of the funds.
The county received $21 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law in 2021 to help municipalities, counties and states rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. The money needs to be appropriated by 2024 and spent by 2026.
Zeb Letourneau, the project manager based in Portland who oversees the funding for entities in Androscoggin and Kennebec counties, among others, praised commissioners and interim county Administrator Clarice Proctor on Wednesday for their efforts to follow the complicated and ever-changing guidance from the federal government.
“Of all the municipalities that I have looked at, Androscoggin County is the best that I have seen. You are well set up,” Letourneau said.
The county partnered with Berry Dunn for help, especially at a time when Proctor serves as treasurer and interim administrator.
Letourneau said the county is meeting all guidance. He said he saw no issues with reported projects, obligations and expenditures to date, including the outside agencies that have received funding during the past year.
He said his firm will continue to assist the county with assessing future projects for its remaining $2.7 million for future county and nonprofit agencies.
Proctor noted that the amount requested by all groups is a few million above what is available.
Commissioners are expected to take a deep dive into the remaining money at its next meeting March 15.
In other business, commissioners approved Chief Deputy William Gagne’s request to accept the $31,515.60 offer from Adams Emergency Vehicles to purchase and install equipment for the new patrol cruisers. It was the only company of four the county approached for bids.
Proctor noted that the Androscoggin Historical Society is nearing the final phase of its move from the third floor of the county building. On Friday, a crane will be situated in the tiny parking lot on Court Street to remove display cases and other large items through the third-floor windows that were too large to bring down the stairs and elevator.
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