Lewiston-Auburn shared services

Lewiston-Auburn 911

What it does: Provides 911 and emergency dispatch service for Lewiston, Auburn and Poland.
Annual budget: The center’s proposed 2016-17 budget is $2.3 million, with $37,800 in service fees paid by Poland, $1.07 million from Lewiston and Auburn each and the rest paid from rents, fees and surcharges.
Current status: The cities have historically split costs 50-50. For the coming year, Auburn wants to split the costs based on call volume, moving up to $213,000 from Auburn’s budget to Lewiston’s.

Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council

What it does: Created in 1981 as the go-to economic development agency for Lewiston and Auburn, the council markets the community, provides small business loans and acts as a central contact point for businesses interested in locating in the Twin Cities.
Annual budget: The proposed 2016-17 budget is $650,000. In the past, the group has been funded equally by the two cities for much of its budget and it requested $160,610 from each city for the coming fiscal year.
Current status: While Lewiston approved the budget request, Auburn’s draft budget includes no money for LAEGC.

Lewiston-Auburn Railroad Co.

What it does: Owns rail rights of way in the cities, as well as property in downtown Lewiston, especially the Grand Trunk Depot that is home to Rails Restaurant. A nine-member board consists of six Lewiston representatives and three from Auburn.
Annual budget: Revenue comes from leases on rail lines paid by St. Lawrence and Atlantic and from rental fees paid by Rails Restaurant. As of March 31, 2016, the company had $87,000 in income and $19,909 in expenses.
Current status: Board meets annually, most recently on April 20, 2016.

Lewiston-Auburn Public Health Committee

What it does: Created in 2008 to work out policy for public health concerns, including lead poisoning, bedbugs, child abuse and drugs.
Annual budget: Zero.
Current status: Membership of up to 30 people from both cities includes people from hospitals, health agencies and city governments, but the core group of nine members does not meet regularly.

Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport board

What it does: Manages and operates the two-runway airport in southwestern Auburn. Nine-member board includes three representatives from Auburn, three from Lewiston and three from local economic development agencies.
Annual budget: The 2016-17 spending plan calls for $1.3 million in spending, including $106,000 in general fund support from each city.
Current status: The airport would be fully funded for the coming fiscal year, but neither city agreed to borrow money to help build an expanded parking lot at the airport this current fiscal year.

Lewiston-Auburn Transit Committee/Citylink

What it does: Manages the Citylink bus service for Lewiston and Auburn. Seven-member board includes elected officials, staff and residents; three from Lewiston, three from Auburn and an at-large member. At-large member is selected from one city for two years and the other for the next two.
Annual budget: Committee requested $470,000 in municipal support for 2016-17, $235,000 from each city. Auburn agreed to $182,244.
Current status: Offers hourly service to nine routes and shuttles downtown, and around the Auburn Mall area Monday through Saturday.

Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission

What it does: Manages land around Lake Auburn and the tributaries that feed it in an effort to promote quality in Lewiston-Auburn’s water supply and public education about quality.
Annual budget: For the 2015-16 fiscal year, the commission has a $183,485 operating budget.
Current status: The nine-member board meets regularly. The Lewiston City Council names three members, the Auburn Water District names three, the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments names one, the town of Turner names one and the towns of Hebron, Minot and Buckfield share one member.

Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority

What it does: Manages treatment and disposal of Lewiston and Auburn municipal sewage, as well as some contracted businesses.
Annual budget: Budget is $5.5 million for 2016, paid for in part with $135,000 from sewage treatment from industrial clients, $77,000 in compost sales, $245,000 in tipping fees and $96,000 in energy generation charges and tax credits.
Current status: Seven-member board: three Lewiston city staff members, three Auburn staff members and one at-large citizen.

Great Falls TV

What it does: Operates Great Falls TV and public access channels 7, 11 and 22 on Time Warner Cable in Lewiston, Auburn and Lisbon. That includes Auburn, Lewiston and Lisbon City Council meetings, Auburn and Lisbon school committee meetings and community calendars.
Annual budget: The sum of $203,000 for 2016-17, paid by cable franchise fees. Auburn pays $140,000 of the budget; Lewiston, $63,384.
Current status: Offices on Central Maine Community College’s campus relocated to Auburn Hall, staff made part of city staff and board of directors made advisory.

L-A Bike-Pedestrian Committee

What it does: Discusses policy and planning to promote walking and bicycling in Lewiston and Auburn.
Annual budget: Zero.
Current status: Eight-member board meets twice each month, most recently on May 25.

Community Forest Board

What it does: Nine-member body with at least four members from each city tasked with enhancing, preserving, protecting and maintaining the community forest in Lewiston and Auburn.
Annual budget: Zero.
Current status: Board continues to meet, but with one Auburn seat vacant.

L/A Arts

What it does: Promotes arts and culture in the community.
Annual budget: The 2015-16 budget is $325,000, the bulk coming from donations, grants and the Lewiston School Department. Lewiston contributes $23,960.
Current status: Offers programs, including the annual Friday Art Walks in both cities and February’s Ice Festival in Lewiston.