Lincoln County approves behavioral-health contract for jail services, accepts regional jail study
June 12, 2026 | Lincoln County, Maine
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The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on May 19 approved a one-year, $221,844 contract with Maine Behavioral Health to fund a recovery coach and substance-use-disorder (SUD) counseling in the county jail and voted to accept a regional jail study by SMRT.
Chief Deputy Rand Maker reported the county jail population that morning as 138 inmates and described the contract renewal as part of the jail diversion program. The contract covers July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and reflects about an 11% increase from the prior year; Maker said he will inquire whether the contract term can be aligned with the county fiscal year.
Commissioners also approved a separate motion to transfer a 2020 Ford SUV declared a total loss after a deputy was rear-ended; the insurance company offered $15,789.13 for the vehicle, which Maker said had about 134,000 miles. Both motions passed unanimously, 3-0.
In executive-session business later in the meeting, Commissioner Evan Goodkowsky moved to accept the Two Bridges Regional Jail Study Report prepared by SMRT (dated April 27, 2026); Commissioner William B. Blodgett seconded and the board approved the report 3-0. Goodkowsky earlier described ongoing work by a Two Bridges Regional Jail Authority working group that is exploring expanded regionalization and cooperation with Knox County; participants plan to continue meeting with a potential decision point on legislation by late 2026 or early 2027.
Why it matters: Officials said the behavioral-health contract and the SMRT study are pieces of a broader effort to manage jail populations through diversion and to evaluate regional approaches to detention services. The study acceptance signals the board's intent to pursue follow-up work, while the behavioral-health services contract preserves an in-jail program aimed at connecting people to treatment.
Votes at a glance:
- Approve Maine Behavioral Health contract for recovery coach/SUD counseling (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027), amount $221,844 — motion carried 3-0 (mover: Evan Goodkowsky; second: William B. Blodgett).
- Transfer 2020 Ford SUV to insurer for $15,789.13 — motion carried 3-0 (mover: Evan Goodkowsky; second: William B. Blodgett).
- Accept Two Bridges Regional Jail Study Report (SMRT, April 27, 2026) — motion carried 3-0 (mover: Evan Goodkowsky; second: William B. Blodgett).
Next steps: Chief Deputy Maker will follow up on contract-term alignment and the regional jail working group expects to continue meetings and report back on potential legislative steps later this year or early 2027.
Chief Deputy Rand Maker reported the county jail population that morning as 138 inmates and described the contract renewal as part of the jail diversion program. The contract covers July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and reflects about an 11% increase from the prior year; Maker said he will inquire whether the contract term can be aligned with the county fiscal year.
Commissioners also approved a separate motion to transfer a 2020 Ford SUV declared a total loss after a deputy was rear-ended; the insurance company offered $15,789.13 for the vehicle, which Maker said had about 134,000 miles. Both motions passed unanimously, 3-0.
In executive-session business later in the meeting, Commissioner Evan Goodkowsky moved to accept the Two Bridges Regional Jail Study Report prepared by SMRT (dated April 27, 2026); Commissioner William B. Blodgett seconded and the board approved the report 3-0. Goodkowsky earlier described ongoing work by a Two Bridges Regional Jail Authority working group that is exploring expanded regionalization and cooperation with Knox County; participants plan to continue meeting with a potential decision point on legislation by late 2026 or early 2027.
Why it matters: Officials said the behavioral-health contract and the SMRT study are pieces of a broader effort to manage jail populations through diversion and to evaluate regional approaches to detention services. The study acceptance signals the board's intent to pursue follow-up work, while the behavioral-health services contract preserves an in-jail program aimed at connecting people to treatment.
Votes at a glance:
- Approve Maine Behavioral Health contract for recovery coach/SUD counseling (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027), amount $221,844 — motion carried 3-0 (mover: Evan Goodkowsky; second: William B. Blodgett).
- Transfer 2020 Ford SUV to insurer for $15,789.13 — motion carried 3-0 (mover: Evan Goodkowsky; second: William B. Blodgett).
- Accept Two Bridges Regional Jail Study Report (SMRT, April 27, 2026) — motion carried 3-0 (mover: Evan Goodkowsky; second: William B. Blodgett).
Next steps: Chief Deputy Maker will follow up on contract-term alignment and the regional jail working group expects to continue meetings and report back on potential legislative steps later this year or early 2027.
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