AUBURN — The Androscoggin County Commission is expected to finalize the 2025 budget at Wednesday’s meeting.

If commissioners approve the recommended $20.17 million, the county tax rate will rise by 11.61%. The Budget Committee made $140,000 in cuts, but also restored some funding commissioners cut.

The Budget Committee is also anticipating an additional $10,ooo in revenue from the real estate transfer tax and fees from the Office of Probate.

Full funding for the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments was also restored by the Budget Committee. Commissioners had eliminated the entire $8,197.29 request for dues because the county did not feel it was receiving any benefits from the organization. Since all the municipalities in the county are paying AVCOG dues, any additional funding by the county would result in double dipping since the county taxes come from the municipalities.

Because the 14-member Budget Committee lacked a supermajority at some of its meetings, some of its recommended cuts are merely suggestions that commissioners may or may not consider.

The County Charter gives commissioners final say on all budget matters, except for its own salaries. The committee recommended no changes to that budget line.

In addition to the budget, commissioners will also consider further funding from the American Rescue Plan Act for software and hardware upgrades for the Sheriff’s Department.

The meeting begins Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. on the second floor of the county building at the corner of Court and Turner streets in Auburn.