[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6236392,"mediaKeyId","3365451-e27ff8a1673dc61ff4a991a063af709c","parentId",3365451,"title","Delegation forms bipartisan working group to investigate county nursing‑home options and site feasibility","audioSeconds",1162,"startMs",4837000,"endMs",5999000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3365451-e27ff8a1673dc61ff4a991a063af709c&start=4837&end=5999","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3365451-e27ff8a1673dc61ff4a991a063af709c/thumbnail_4837000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6236392/Strafford-County/New-Hampshire/Delegation-forms-bipartisan-working-group-to-investigate-county-nursinghome-options-and-site-feasibility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236392-74a5c3079bf4f492bffbbb4a1d2b1063/orig.mp4?Expires=1772944319&Signature=JhR85nW40fiKGNq98NIqN0ujrGUtQEW6cjtcgrHM25Uj4TCvBzht9YdP8aBB1sq8bHFkXip0-QxGFyDe8m0Y8x8FgvVkPQ~5YVhBdz5H4dgsAaUrY2fsgHKusoMLRU7mIb2v-uanARSriF6v6VI~fn1e75FtHgwTYXoBT-LLz-FL-PjBzKgz-HOfDxUn0eFfgfElqfNz~yR44Gi7~~khTVBhu-yEdVBbAyTRfNvGO4NmlVRNWyBROQj1ahuiVL3sTI2J5c4ZYQG7KMvGH9v9e5Wf773VNgRraslj6wa2bkqv5oXNkORTXZrwYVfYS0X5aCtToTi3vPoSeyR2AMDjaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Strafford County NH","date","2025-05-16T16:54:24Z","article","Strafford County legislators voted to form a bipartisan working group to investigate the county’s options regarding a county nursing‑home project and related housing possibilities.

Representative Lamontagne proposed a small, bipartisan committee to examine site feasibility, size, financing and alternative approaches. \"I envision that we’re going to meet once a month starting in June with an eye on having a report ready for January when the public hearing comes for the budget,\" Lamontagne said. The proposed committee composition was five Democrats and four Republicans; Lamontagne identified five Democratic members he planned to invite and asked the Republican caucus to select four members.

Why it matters: The county owns the site discussed and previously considered a larger bonded nursing‑home and housing project that failed to secure voter approval. Delegates said the working group would look at multiple options — renovation of existing facilities, building a new county facility, smaller geographically distributed facilities, partnerships with nonprofits, and housing components tied to an affordable‑housing designation — rather than assuming a single path.

Committee scope and process: Lamontagne said the working group should (1) review site plans and what county land can support, (2) model project size and financing options, (3) consult other counties and completed projects for lessons learned, and (4 reach out to nonprofit partners such as Community Action and Easterseals for possible development or operational partnerships. He said minutes and agendas would be circulated to the full delegation and that meetings would be open to the public with Zoom options.

Concerns and caveats: Representative Bailey cautioned that no statute requires the county to run a nursing home, and Representative Veil warned that a narrowly split delegation (5–4) on a proposal would be unlikely to pass a county bond question at referendum. Other members urged the committee to begin with a finance primer so members understand Medicaid flows and the county’s fiscal exposure before considering construction options.

Formal action: Representative Smith moved to create the working group; the motion was seconded by Representative Raul and adopted by voice vote. Delegates instructed staff to schedule the first meeting and to circulate a short fact sheet summarizing prior studies, budget assumptions and potential funding sources.

Ending: Organizers said they will coordinate a brief initial meeting among four Republican volunteers and the named Democratic members before scheduling the full committee’s first public session in June.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-05-16 Strafford County Executive Committee 1st Qtr Budget Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Strafford County legislators voted to form a bipartisan working group to examine whether and how the county should move forward on a nursing‑home project, including site plans, financing, private‑sector alternatives and housing components on county land.","taxTitle","Strafford County, New Hampshire","taxId",54748,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6236396,"Delegation hears first‑quarter budget good news and new large liabilities from jail hospitalizations and a norovirus outbreak",1790,1638000,3428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3365451-e27ff8a1673dc61ff4a991a063af709c&start=1638&end=3428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3365451-e27ff8a1673dc61ff4a991a063af709c/thumbnail_1638000.jpg","/articles/6236396/Strafford-County/New-Hampshire/Delegation-hears-firstquarter-budget-good-news-and-new-large-liabilities-from-jail-hospitalizations-and-a-norovirus-outbreak","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236396-29ec4b5440d4bf7823adb0c3f4a892ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1772944319&Signature=KS4ELzOwFLbPPAXNnG5r9Ha7JoVQxcYL29T56BPFruhjk5M7p30HfE68r3AJIX-Lff3JcA3b1VCZwy3ghW1odtM0DJF0TvH1tD6dD2w1rVF2MYcyeTk9XjCoGNmkZ1v7pqj5nfZzh5Q9RvZlD0HO4V-1H6TKU4tJP61KFSq6dQuerTXjS78BxLtwr0oq80R5ruuBUahtMAw~UwcSMSgrZesqsyHIgm~FioRHTJzkZKpkTTpKh3f6JFOluq6QDCjSpAeb0ki4nFRlb~ucQgtu6g2HObbqGtMIV0MBOvgBsNRKEp-DSrp9mau19hoC1D9nJsdeALnDFVXHrOpHuiEx~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County leaders told the Strafford County delegation that while the first quarter of the 2025 budget largely tracked plan, two unanticipated events are creating material downside risk for the year: (1) an extended, high‑cost hospitalization of a convicted but not yet sentenced inmate that required round‑the‑clock deputy security and (2) a norovirus outbreak at the county nursing facility that forced use of expensive per‑diem nursing staff.

The jail incident: Superintendent and medical staff from the Strafford County House of Correction described a case that began with a January 19 hospital admission and resulted in multiple transports to high‑level care, including open‑heart surgery at a Boston hospital. The inmate was revived after a critical episode and returned to care; medical and custody needs continued. The superintendent told the delegation: “Every time an individual goes out, it requires 2 deputies to go out and be with that individual. And that requires overtime.” The county said Plymouth County assisted early on “out of courtesy” but that the prolonged stays ultimately forced the county to cover deputy staffing and related costs.

County staff estimated the inmate’s hospital bill could be well in excess of $2,000,000; the jail’s office said it has been enrolling eligible inmates in medical coverage and is paying a premium of roughly $33 per month to maintain coverage where possible. The county further noted that the big near‑term cost driver is custody: deputies on overtime plus roll‑up charges (retirement and benefits) and travel time to Boston add materially to the hourly cost. Officials said they will provide a full itemized breakdown for the next quarterly budget report and are tracking overtime in the sheriff’s budget (sheriff overtime was reported up roughly 74 percent year to date).

Legal and process constraints: County attorneys and jail leadership said the inmate is convicted but had not yet been sentenced; the sentencing was scheduled for June 3 pending the inmate’s ability to participate and meet with counsel. County Attorney Emily (county attorney) explained that defendants have a constitutional right to be present and to consult with counsel; if defense counsel certifies the client cannot participate, the court may continue sentencing. Delegates asked whether the county could limit custody needs at the hospital; officials said hospitals require medical orders for restraints, visitation is controlled by clinical staff, and custody requirements reflect security and liability considerations.

Nursing home outbreak and staffing costs: The county’s nursing‑home administrators reported a norovirus outbreak in the first quarter that produced about 164 cases affecting residents and staff. The outbreak forced the facility to use outside nursing‑pool staff to maintain minimum staffing; administrators told the delegation the one‑time cost tied to the outbreak was roughly $221,000 and was paid from the nursing line items for outside services. A staff speaker said, “When it hits nursing and nurses’ aides and nurses, we obviously have what we call a minimum staffing, which is how we operate. And if we fall below that, then we’re not providing adequate care.” The delegation requested a line‑item breakdown showing the outbreak‑related payments and the quarters in which they were accounted for.

Other budget notes: Administrators reported other offsetting or positive items: inmate housing contracts with ICE and the U.S. Marshals are under negotiation for higher rates, and the jail had improved recruitment and retention after wage adjustments. The delegation was told that the county had limited flu and COVID cases this year and that medication‑assisted treatment is in place under RSA 30‑B for people who are eligible.

Next steps and transparency requests: Members asked for a detailed cost accounting of the hospitalized inmate (overtime, travel, roll‑up charges, and medical bill status) and a full reconciliation of the nursing‑home outbreak charges against quarter 1 line items. County staff said they will prepare a full breakdown for the next quarterly report and noted this is an ongoing budget risk that could prompt a midyear budget adjustment depending on final costs.

Ending: Delegates agreed to take the documentation under advisement and receive the detailed cost breakdown at the next quarterly budget update.","During review of the first‑quarter 2025 report, county officials warned of two unexpected budget pressures: prolonged deputy overtime for a House of Correction inmate hospitalized out of county and a norovirus outbreak at the county nursing home that required costly temporary nursing‑pool staffing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6236401,"Strafford County delegation approves second round of tax anticipation borrowing to cover 2025 cash shortfall",1558,154000,1712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3365451-e27ff8a1673dc61ff4a991a063af709c&start=154&end=1712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3365451-e27ff8a1673dc61ff4a991a063af709c/thumbnail_154000.jpg","/articles/6236401/Strafford-County/New-Hampshire/Strafford-County-delegation-approves-second-round-of-tax-anticipation-borrowing-to-cover-2025-cash-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236401-9270d674fae79468c5713b9c47c26453/orig.mp4?Expires=1772944319&Signature=Yq-XVoiCvY1xeFLCBCraeIMXLgOHvReqIMP1e7rcrzQAYswTGZ~XQyE9Ji45V-xsgAC~YBhfgRUvT-oA72XHti~UAqtC4YIx1FTGiZEAyEO2wKBYGlTpVCSe5kYnT2OGP8swiJohSh6zmKR53iG0YZUu-67EgMcPvWm9fAJS2RWNDiKWf4DUrhGibHMHyVy0ocRjmRGOrjCB8bJ~uXk24zaK-6Z~OGFksU6K1A7ll6LJ5zpYO0tQ9MPysIo~R0rB5iRIzo983WJjN7Set5u0FdmPpCsi58EZIArwGXcmiXFJmltWWOt0Mm0Xz4rsWC0Oj0q-q8oVs-zlLgf0Z~4C8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Strafford County legislators voted to authorize a second round of tax anticipation borrowing for 2025 to cover county cashflow needs through the second half of the year.

The delegation moved to \"approve the second round of anticipation notes borrowing up to $17,980,000 for 2025,\" a motion moved by Representative Paul and seconded by Representative Howard. The motion passed by a voice/roll-call process; the chair announced, \"Motion passes 10 to 4.\"

Why it matters: The notes let the county bridge operations until property tax revenue is collected in mid-December. Delegates said the borrowing is a cash-management step tied to the budget the delegation already adopted and is not a new spending program.

Treasury staff told the delegation it could not fully fund remaining obligations from cash on hand. Diane, the county deputy treasurer, told members the interest cost is not fixed until bids are received but that staff “estimated based on the first round,” and that past borrowing produced an interest cost of roughly 3 percent. A majority of members pressed for better detail on likely interest expense and the mechanics of the sale before the county goes to market.

Several members raised broader questions about whether the current statutory schedule — which requires municipalities to remit their tax collections to the county on Dec. 17 — forces the county to borrow on behalf of towns. Administrator Bauer (county administrator) said a statutory change would be required to move to an earlier or twice‑a‑year remittance schedule, and offered to convene the revenue committee to study options. Representative Southworth and others supported forming a small bipartisan group to explore whether municipal collection schedules, intergovernmental borrowing arrangements, or legislative changes could reduce future borrowing costs.

Details and context: Delegates were reminded the delegation previously approved a first‑half borrowing not to exceed $24,000,000; the second round brings the total tax anticipation borrowing in 2025 toward a tax levy total described in the meeting materials of roughly $41.09 million. County officials also noted that tax receipts are not scheduled to arrive until late in the year (December 17), which creates the mid‑year cashflow need.

Members asked for a follow‑up packet that shows (1) the likely interest cost range once bids are received, (2) the first‑round borrowing terms for comparison, and (3) the county’s current undesignated fund balance (officials said the current undesignated fund balance is in deficit). Representative Potenza recorded several technical questions about estimated interest and how the borrowing would be allocated within the $41.09 million budget total.

What’s next: The borrowing authorization allows county staff to solicit bids and complete a public sale. Delegates also instructed staff and legislators to convene the suggested revenue subcommittee to study the statutory constraints and alternatives for municipal remit timing and whether municipalities have sufficient fund balances to remit earlier.

Ending: County staff said they will return with the bid results and a clearer statement of expected interest costs and the fund‑balance position in the next budget update.","The Strafford County delegation approved a second round of tax anticipation notes up to about $17.98 million to cover cashflow through the second half of 2025, after questions about interest costs and calls to study whether earlier municipal collections could reduce borrowing.","actionData","errors"]

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Delegation forms bipartisan working group to investigate county nursing‑home options and site feasibility

Delegation hears first‑quarter budget good news and new large liabilities from jail hospitalizations and a norovirus outbreak

Strafford County delegation approves second round of tax anticipation borrowing to cover 2025 cash shortfall