BANGOR -- Officials in Penobscot county are grappling with a multi-million dollar budget gap, largely due to the increasing costs to operate the county jail.

Penobscot county is facing a nearly 20% budget increase for 2026 to address the jail funding deficit.

According to county officials, that deficit, which they've had to carry for several years now, is going to account for about 15% of that increase.

"It's now a little over 4 million dollars that we have had to expend outside of what we are able to raise through property taxes," said Penobscot County Commissioner Chair, Andre Cushing. "It is affecting the county's cash flow so we have a significant portion of that has to be addressed."

Penobscot county Sheriff Troy Morton says the funding gap is a result of costs to out-board inmat

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