Raymond’s secession from Cumberland County is likely a lost cause unless the town can find some willing partners closer to Oxford County, selectmen said this week.

Selectmen voted in October to explore the possibility of seceding from Cumberland County, where they feel the interests of Raymond and other small towns are pushed aside in favor of the Portland area. With an eye toward rural Oxford County, selectmen began to research secession, but found the process to be a long and difficult one, one that includes a petition, public hearings, and ultimately votes by the residents and two county governments.

Also standing in the way is the fact that Raymond does not share a border with Oxford County, meaning the town cannot pull away from the county alone. As Casco is the only town that touches Oxford County and Raymond, Selectman Mike Reynolds said that if Casco is uninterested in joining the secession effort, “our quest is over.”

Reynolds attended Tuesday’s meeting of the Casco Board of Selectmen to drum up support for the town’s cause. Raymond has faced steadily rising county taxes, due largely to rising property values, and town officials do not feel the county has been responsive to pleas for lower spending. The two towns share a common philosophy when it comes to spending, Reynolds told the Casco board, and should come together on the issue of county government.

“I know Casco is conservative like Raymond is,” said Reynolds, who made a similar presentation to Naples recently.

Casco selectmen decided to talk about the issue at a workshop in January.

“I think it’s worth looking in to,” said Casco Selectman Calvin Nutting.

County Manager Peter Crichton said he hoped the towns would stay in Cumberland County, and explained that costs of the jail has been one big factor in the rising budget. Recent legislation would cap costs of jails to taxpayers, he said. He said rising property valuations, not spending, cause county taxes to rise for towns in the Lakes Region.

At a meeting in Raymond last week, Selectman Joe Bruno said the secession process is a long and arduous one, and the odds were against Raymond changing counties.

“The chances of us leaving Cumberland County are very slim,” he said.