Taking stock, finding answers: York County gov't gets it done
- Tammy L Wells
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
By Tammy Wells, York County government media
ALFRED, Maine – York County government is taking the concept of antiquated out of old – forging ahead with initiatives to meet today’s demands while keeping an eye on lessons from its 390-year history.
Over the last several years, the county government – the oldest in Maine, dating to 1636 – has been examining needs and ways to make life better for its diverse population of 220,000-plus residents – providing a regional approach in several endeavors.
And while there has been news about fiscal woes in some Maine counties – as York County experienced 20 years ago but has long since recovered – the objective is the same across Maine: to improve the lives of residents.
It’s about being proactive, thinking regionally, and getting the job done. That is exactly what happened in 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic, when the county government and its highly competent York County Emergency Management Agency stepped up to organize and operate a county-wide pandemic response. YCEMA provided mobile vaccine clinics and a centralized vaccine center that administered 100,000 coronavirus vaccines.
And the proactivity didn’t stop there. York County Commission Chair Richard Dutremble noted the five-member board took forward-thinking, bold steps when they voted to put about three quarters of the county government’s $40 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act toward three projects: A 58-bed residential substance recovery center is scheduled for completion later this year or in early 2027, providing sorely needed services, including observation beds, detox, and various levels of residential care. A centralized training center for first responders – law enforcement, corrections, EMS, firefighters and dispatchers – went online early this year and recently celebrated the graduation of 17 new EMTs and 27 new firefighters. A dredge helped repair devastating coastal erosion in late February and early March. Mindful of other needs, Commissioners also used ARPA funds to invest in a teen center in Biddeford, in a supportive housing project in Kittery and more – providing additional services to York County residents.
And while York County Commissioners could not have foreseen the 2020 pandemic and 2021 ARPA windfall back in 2011 when they hired York County Manager Greg Zinser, even then, the board was looking to shake off the notion that counties in Maine are an obscure, dusty form of government.
“One thing they said was they wanted to be more proactive, more progressive, not in the political sense but thinking ahead to what we can do,” said Zinser.
Zinser was hired as York County was emerging from a period of fiscal difficulties.
Dutremble, who will retire on Dec. 31 after more than 20 years as county commissioner, and who worked as a comptroller for 30 years, spoke about York County’s fiscal strength at the beginning of 2026. “I want to reiterate to our taxpayers that our county government is in the best shape it’s been in 20 years,” Dutremble said, noting policies put in place following the 2006 discovery of a deficit have assured the county’s fiscal health.
As to proactivity, a somewhat recent example came as a result of an unexpected situation that jeopardized a food source that serves about 3,000 people a month. About a year ago, a large regional food pantry based in Alfred operated by a private non-profit agency was about to close its doors.
York County Commissioners were familiar with the pantry – the county had provided the pantry building on Swett’s Bridge Road in Alfred to the nonprofit rent-free for several years. Commissioners appropriated funds so the pantry service would continue. There was no gap in service for the pantry that now operates under the county’s nonprofit First County Foundation, Inc. – in fact, the hours have expanded a bit as the need continues.
“We are prioritizing tackling hunger. We’re trying to make sure no one in York County is going hungry,” said Commissioner Justin Chenette. Noting other advances, like the recent coastal projects designed to rebuild storm-ravaged dunes, the substance recovery center and the up-and-running first responder training center, Chenette said York County has demonstrated its ability to respond to the ever-changing needs of constituents.
“I think we’re setting the bar pretty high,” said Chenette.
Andre Cushing, president of the Maine County Commission Association and Chair of Penobscot County Commissioners puts it like this:
“I often look across our 16 counties and see a landscape of more than 450 municipalities, each striving to provide essential services,” he said. “But the modern reality is clear: we are stronger together. County government is the natural bridge to a more efficient Maine. We are ready to be the partner that Maine towns deserve, ensuring every resident receives high-quality service, regardless of their zip code.”
Cushing pointed to regional 911 dispatching, a unified jail booking system he said results in savings to municipalities, and to other initiatives: Cumberland County government, for example, provides regional assessing to six municipalities and general assistance administration to nine.
“True efficiency happens when counties are empowered to lead,” he said.
There are other examples. Commissioner Richard Clark is York County’s representative to the regional Chief Elected Officers board of Coastal County Workforce, Inc., which uses federal funds for development, training, and employment services across six of Maine’s coastal counties: York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Waldo, and Knox. About 75 percent of the 31,455 people trained in professions from healthcare to welding, construction, retail and IT, have reached employment, said director Antoinette Mancusi. “Our role includes policy and budgeting to strengthen and improve work opportunities for youth and those with barriers to training and employment,” said Clark of the CEO board. That means training – but it can also mean providing support for other matters – including help getting to work in the form of bus tickets or gas vouchers.
Dutremble pointed out that costs for services and initiatives spread out over York County’s 29 municipalities lessens the tab for property taxpayers.
Typically, York County government taxes comprise about 2 to 5 percent of a property owner’s tax bill.
“Counties can offer you more and it costs you less in the long run,” Dutremble said.
Zinser agreed.
“County government is a regional government that has a large amount of capacity and ability,” Zinser said. “While we are concentrating on multiple initiatives and resilience, counties can play a larger role in such issues as homelessness... there needs to be more thought and concentration on leveraging the abilities and power of county government that municipalities alone cannot accomplish. Regional problems require regional solutions. York County is willing to be part of the solution."
