Washington County + Augusta in Plain English

Washington County + Augusta in Plain English Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Washington County + Augusta in Plain English, Community Organization, Whiting, ME.

Plain-English coverage of Maine state and local government so citizens can understand how laws and budgets affect taxes, schools, energy, housing, and rural communities.

08/23/2026

I got over 10 reactions on one of my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉 please keep liking and sharing!!

08/04/2026

Did you know?

In Maine County Commissioners, acting together as a board, have final authority over the operation of county government. Individual commissioners, however, are not the day-to-day supervisors of county employees and generally cannot direct employees on their own.

Unfortunately, some recent public actions suggest that a few County Commissioners may have lost sight of that distinction.

Maine law is clear. County Commissioners must act as a board and not on an individual basis when exercising their authority.

So what does that mean in plain English?

It means one commissioner, including the Chair, cannot walk into a county office and start directing employees. One commissioner cannot tell a county department how to do its job. One commissioner cannot tell the Sheriff how to run the Sheriff’s Office or conduct day-to-day law enforcement operations. And one commissioner cannot make county policy or bind the county without action by the board.

Commissioners have authority only when they act together as a board through official action.

The board’s responsibilities include adopting the county budget, approving contracts, setting policy where authorized by law, appointing or overseeing certain county officials as provided by statute, and making decisions as a governing body.

Here’s something else many people don’t know.

County Commissioners in Maine are elected officials. There is currently no statewide recall process that allows voters to remove a County Commissioner before the end of their term simply because they have lost confidence in that official. In most cases, a commissioner leaves office only by resignation, death, disqualification, or by being replaced in the next election.

If you think Maine should have a recall process for County Commissioners, that’s something your State Representative or State Senator could introduce as legislation.

The more we understand how our local government is supposed to work, the better equipped we are to hold our elected officials accountable, not for what we assume they can do, but for what the law actually allows them to do.

Tourism* What is the best hidden gem in Washington County?* What would make visitors stay one more day in our county?* I...
06/08/2026

Tourism

* What is the best hidden gem in Washington County?
* What would make visitors stay one more day in our county?
* If you were planning a Washington County tourism campaign, what would you highlight?
* What attraction, experience, or event do you think our area needs?

What is the biggest obstacle facing local businesses today?
06/07/2026

What is the biggest obstacle facing local businesses today?

What would make it easier for someone to start a business here?
06/06/2026

What would make it easier for someone to start a business here?

What keeps young people from staying in Washington County after high school?
06/05/2026

What keeps young people from staying in Washington County after high school?

What is one business or service you wish existed locally?
06/04/2026

What is one business or service you wish existed locally?

If you could bring one new type of business to Washington County, what would it be?
06/03/2026

If you could bring one new type of business to Washington County, what would it be?

What is Washington County’s greatest untapped asset?
05/31/2026

What is Washington County’s greatest untapped asset?

Address

Whiting, ME
04691

Telephone

+12072636047

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Washington County + Augusta in Plain English posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category