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Franklin County may again ask voters to switch to an appointed treasurer as they hope to avoid financial struggles like those found in Washington County, which is digging its way out of an $11 million budget hole following years of mismanagement.
The move, said county Administrator Amy Bernard, would give the county more supervision over day-to-day finances.
“Under the current statute, the county is vulnerable because an elected treasurer does not have direct oversight by any board or individual, relying instead solely on accountability to the voters, Bernard said. “This lack of day-to-day oversight presents challenges from a fiscal control and accountability standpoint.”
A county employee from Weld brought the issue to commissioners after troubles came to light in Washington County, which also has an elected treasurer — and no appointed finance director to act as a second set of eyes.
“Washington County, in recent years, didn’t have a dedicated, full-time finance director,” said Renée Gray, manager of Washington County since September 2024. “The county treasurer served both capacities.”
The problems in Washington County were revealed in 2024 and stretch back to 2019. Commissioners discovered the county had been underbudgeting for several years. Now the county and its municipalities are struggling to make up for it.
As a result, commissioners are asking voters to switch to an appointed treasurer, and the approved 2026 budget has funding to hire a finance director.
“Anyone can run for county treasurer and be elected basically on popularity and not credentials and qualifications,” Gray said. “Much like any elected position really.”
Franklin County would also have to vote to make treasurer an appointed position. In 2021, county residents voted 7,500-2,407 to keep the position elected.
The county has not had a finance director since 2022.
Bob Carlton, chairman of the county commissioners, said he keeps a close eye on county finances.
“I review warrants and invoices and ask questions when needed,” he said. “We continue our audits and follow recommendations as given. One recommendation from the auditor was for commissioners to review and sign off on monthly bank statements. Our administrator alerts us if something does not look right.”
In Oxford County, which also has an elected treasurer, there is an appointed finance director who reports to county Administrator Zane Loper rather than the treasurer.
“This provides some extra checks and balances,” Loper said. “We also make getting our audits completed a priority.
“There is always the opportunity for mistakes, but we work every day to minimize the concern by working together.”
Androscoggin County has had an appointed treasurer since 2012.
“I feel (Androscoggin) is as protected as we can be,” Administrator Jeff Chute said.
“The Androscoggin commission has been extremely satisfied with our treasurer,” Andrew Lewis of Auburn, chairman of the county commissioners, said. “Clarice Proctor has received accolades from governmental and private organizations especially in handling the (American Rescue Plan Act) funds and county audits.”
Lewis said it’s important to have skilled employees in positions that requirement particular skills.
“Speaking on my own behalf only,” he said, “I prefer appointing heavily specialized positions that have significant professional requirements such as the treasurer position.
“My personal experience, both as a commissioner and as a HR professional, is that when filling those kinds of positions, a focus on credentials and experience is the best course which an election can often struggle to follow.”