Lincoln County Commissioners are willing to talk about doing away with county government, but not until there are plans to replace the services at less cost to the taxpayers.

That's what the commissioners said in a letter to Boothbay Selectmen, who recently circulated a letter to their counterparts in other Lincoln County towns calling for discussions on eliminating county government.

Charles R. Cunningham, the chairman of the Boothbay Board of Selectmen, noted in his letter sent out last month that his town pays the county over $1 million, adding, "We are not clear on exactly what the county does." Acknowledging that some services, like the 911 center and sheriff's department would have to be replaced, Cunningham said some services now provided by the county, like maintenance of land records, pay for themselves through fees.

The response from the county, written by county administrator Jim MacMahon, says the Boothbay Selectmen's letter is "well written and thought provoking."

Picking up on Cunningham's admission that they may not thoroughly understand what services the county provides, MacMahon wrote, "We invite you to meet with us to discuss the functions of county government." The county's upcoming budget process also offers an opportunity for people to learn more about county operations, the letter said. Upcoming budget meetings are set for Thursday, Oct. 11, Thursday, Oct. 25, Nov. 15 and Nov. 29, all at 7 p.m. at the communications center building.

The functions now handled by Lincoln County government are listed in the letter to the selectmen, including the sheriff's office, the regional jail, land records, wills, name changes, adoptions, guardianships and conservatorships, emergency management and communications, recycling, e-waste collection, planning, economic development, and training for emergency management personnel.

However, before any "serious discussions" about abolishing county government can be held, "those proposing it need to identify how it will be replaced and show that the services now being provided will be provided at less cost to the property taxpayer," the letter said.

Just as Maine towns and cities have had to deal with the state's "unfunded mandates" [requirements to provide services, but with no accompanying money from the state] counties have likewise had the same experience.

"Some of those same mandates from the state are also being shifted onto county government," the letter said.

"In fact, we are currently witnessing a massive attempt by the state to shift its obligations onto the local property taxpayers by the school consolidation law passed as part of the current state budget." The state is also now looking into taking over the county jails.

"No one should expect the state to provide county services at less cost than they are now being provided, especially since the state cannot currently fund its own operations," the letter said.

"We look forward to having an informed discussion about this issue should it reach a sufficient level of interest here in Lincoln County."

The letter was mailed to all the boards of selectmen in the county.