[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6212388,"mediaKeyId","3685551-18f3af3ce0f5953ec1e88c83605a4c8f","parentId",3685551,"title","Commissioner reports state budget and Medicaid items; 504 account and ProShare updates","audioSeconds",141,"startMs",1101000,"endMs",1242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685551-18f3af3ce0f5953ec1e88c83605a4c8f&start=1101&end=1242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685551-18f3af3ce0f5953ec1e88c83605a4c8f/thumbnail_1101000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212388/Strafford-County/New-Hampshire/Commissioner-reports-state-budget-and-Medicaid-items-504-account-and-ProShare-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212388-4958c5925d2ee0b650d6ed18c0ad5e3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1772944239&Signature=SSB1LU~QnydeQ-fspww4jOZvEmX2MKzJNdKbCbw1nj5Rs~38A8VwagK0UXvdRqYBiobmQCok27Uu8tSBqOQ43gWTpA2OAxuQ-za9IxRwPj8a2ivH4CxiWX5RSdUZPcYoU-AwU~WYOa5S6EsVTHwE3u1nvvzGRZfZSyz3VzfuZKjGVXnvmw-tZAyG644cLLSkZl7KK7~hqx7k~gJmDXpMGRkphT0w7OyQzNCRKHpHj8elVC6TBnRDDsJ0CsKT3MaVFVuO0MKSZz1OT5LngTfmVeTYT1zjGNSpSYtCvvaVstIU5TLfLG~7sHPDquapIfGaOPrUpdavkww0n9n6F7i0rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Strafford County NH","date","2025-06-05T16:49:03Z","article","A county commissioner who represents Strafford County on the State‑County Finance Committee gave a status update on state budget items affecting local long‑term‑care funding, ProShare distributions and Medicaid changes.

The commissioner said the state’s 504 account — the program that funds nursing home support — is projected in the governor’s proposal at about $283 million for the coming year and roughly $300 million the following year; both the House and the Senate retained that funding level during committee work. The committee report also reflected agreement in both chambers on a proposed 3% increase to a cap that affects reimbursement calculations; the commissioner said the increase was kept in the conference process.

He described a proposal prepared by Chuck Nickerson of Rockingham County (referred to in the meeting as “Chuck’s bill”) to refund money the state collected during the first 18 months of the COVID emergency; the proposal would return roughly $22 million over four years to counties that were double‑billed. The commissioner said that refund language appears in both House and Senate versions and that the amount would be paid out over the current biennium.

Staff also discussed federal Medicaid changes and said the recent federal adjustments will not affect the county’s bed tax or FMAP calculations for the county’s two federally funded programs. The county representative said that although the administration and budget numbers will continue to shift, the current committee posture looks favorable for the county’s major long‑term care funding items.

Ending: The commissioner characterized the State‑County Finance Committee as in flux during changes in administration but said the current developments — retention of the 504 account funding and potential refund language — are positive for county long‑term‑care finances. He said the committee will continue work and that final outcomes will depend on conference negotiations between chambers.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-06-05 Strafford County Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A county commissioner who represents Strafford County on the State‑County Finance Committee gave a status update on state budget items affecting local long‑term‑care funding, ProShare distributions and Medicaid changes.","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},6212398,"Strafford County staff recommend pausing extra HVAC work, seek inspector sign-off to close $1.4 million roof project",613,169000,782000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685551-18f3af3ce0f5953ec1e88c83605a4c8f&start=169&end=782","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685551-18f3af3ce0f5953ec1e88c83605a4c8f/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/6212398/Strafford-County/New-Hampshire/Strafford-County-staff-recommend-pausing-extra-HVAC-work-seek-inspector-sign-off-to-close-14-million-roof-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212398-80e40d101949e9f469111557c54676e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1772944239&Signature=LBrryXwwsckwuT9OCAinhH6FNnK8z3BmFKKCofq1g7ZFUB3wgalH5U3fDZw-Ox3w~qjd5ZxykpaZyZiqZZz8yQ7vJLC~anUzlOCmojQ7TXocJ7JDFUsowQ4YzSTFun1S6MHQa2RLcVrDb6k7cyknR~Cr5QgxAL1Q21k5k2Aa-keRNlFCCgZ8My~zIHCk6kYxAN~BBATGrFSLPlVyuLHEHLdM9uUeo8guWh1ex2e5Oi~rqL7~iZWaMM97E9zFUHl8wrtaPAeYB6WmZs9m8wDAZg2J9nL5dJc9D6EscYsdY-f-DglThX2MaEjsg3gA5Oc-FQNBTFWUHcT~9jvBiBhmHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Strafford County commissioners and staff reviewed a consultant report on building ventilation and debated whether to pursue a previously specified target of six air exchanges per hour for an ongoing facilities project, saying the choice affects completion and sign-off of a roughly $1.4 million roof replacement paid with ARPA funds.

The discussion centered on a Design Day report that presented four courses of action, including keeping the original six air exchanges requirement, removing that requirement while meeting the International Mechanical Code (IMC), or closing the job as-is and seeking final inspection. County staff said the pandemic-driven six‑exchange target is no longer universally required and that many areas of the building already meet lower exchange rates.

County staff explained that engineers calculate required exchanges by room size and occupancy, and that the building has been balanced three times without consistently reaching six exchanges in all areas. Staff said two rooftop units were recently replaced and that interior balancing and ductwork changes have been performed repeatedly. Design Day recommended sealing supply air ducts (aero‑seal type products were discussed), but county staff said vendors told them the extent of leakage would not be cured by that method.

Officials tied the ventilation decision to completing related tasks needed to close out the roof project. Staff said Design Day would put its recommendation in writing and that the county needs inspections and system balancing sign-offs before final acceptances and payments. County staff recommended “option 3” from the consultant memo — removing the six‑exchange target, meeting IMC where applicable, and allowing the inspector to require additional balancing if necessary — as the pragmatic way to finish the work and avoid further repeated vendor billing.

During the meeting the commissioners and staff also discussed related follow-ups: removing obsolete rooftop radio equipment so antennas can be relocated, contracting a firm (Murphy) that won a bid to cut metal fittings, and scheduling the final communications‑equipment moves once sign‑offs are obtained.

The county recorded no formal ordinance or binding vote on a change to ventilation targets during this discussion; staff said they would request a written letter from Design Day and pursue the inspections/clearances needed to officially close the project.

County next steps include obtaining Design Day’s written recommendation, completing required building inspections and balancing where inspectors require it, and scheduling antenna relocation and metal‑fitting work already awarded to a contractor so the roofing award can be closed out without risking the ARPA-funded amount.

Ending: Staff asked that the consultant letter and inspection outcome be placed in the record so the commissioners can confirm whether further work is needed before final payment and project closeout.","Strafford County commissioners and staff reviewed a consultant report on building ventilation and debated whether to pursue a previously specified target of six air exchanges per hour for an ongoing facilities project, saying the choice affects completion and sign-off of a roughly $1.4 million roof replacement paid with ARPA funds.",{"_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},6212383,"Single bid from JL Industries for garment‑printing equipment tabled for staff review",130,20000,150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685551-18f3af3ce0f5953ec1e88c83605a4c8f&start=20&end=150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685551-18f3af3ce0f5953ec1e88c83605a4c8f/thumbnail_20000.jpg","/articles/6212383/Strafford-County/New-Hampshire/Single-bid-from-JL-Industries-for-garmentprinting-equipment-tabled-for-staff-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212383-e8215d13649e931425291e1c2ff394c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1772944239&Signature=ZJ0xeq0DMS8p198rCLg17uFCk5qMc0dJqTGlH1tyEXhTCGSPxLyMBsEp9dcQZKmtHI1oRZUU014Bg8Uk3~qpj0s70P89tGz4or73dGm9uuDWXiAhWmoUXehcNuluumWcrPzz-RWZ2fTgudL~Iitlmk90nD4nHCRLasv5x2eiYkxHJY-1A0twC6r8R5-gNUFuVFr7xwku7NF87J4JSJTYsSycq~TClhJNi8Jw3V9tSbeIZrqOtDFwZpWCRU6kTfYZo85NfCNnpVrBo7et4vG18tpN1HKBZIgolJsH73fv-WDYfcxn9BZk9G2gKivC6phyWEhk4pla4VxpxYU3IIxrcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Strafford County opened bids for garment‑printing equipment and received a single bid from JL Industries for $25,995. Commissioners and staff reviewed the bid package and noted the submission included optional extras and multiple machine options; staff reported they had invited multiple manufacturers via several channels including cold calls, the county website and newspapers.

Because the proposal included options and potential add‑ons, commissioners moved to table the item so staff could examine details and confirm that JL Industries had submitted bids for the different machines the county solicited. The motion to table carried; staff will return the item to a future agenda after review.

Ending: No award was made at the meeting. The county will return with a recommendation after staff completes its review of the sole bidder’s options and confirms bid responsiveness.

","Commissioners opened a single bid from JL Industries for garment printing and decided to table consideration so staff can review details and confirm whether multiple machine bids were submitted.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6212393,"County officials discuss nursing‑home operations, respite care and wanderer protections at Hyder and Riverside",482,1616000,2098000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685551-18f3af3ce0f5953ec1e88c83605a4c8f&start=1616&end=2098","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685551-18f3af3ce0f5953ec1e88c83605a4c8f/thumbnail_1616000.jpg","/articles/6212393/Strafford-County/New-Hampshire/County-officials-discuss-nursinghome-operations-respite-care-and-wanderer-protections-at-Hyder-and-Riverside","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212393-9dc55369e6447025a01ba59bc3389372/orig.mp4?Expires=1772944239&Signature=NctkmOugX4DtIQWI1X04E2YwednaopazhhG0xQ-hGuF6UhvZjR2fDe7~MguiuNQ7xnDgk~0CiOX4-Q-Ku4NUSyVTDYnov7jgvtCYGuYd~80k~t6xYj06xC8ULOZfwLUReOyvUkkIYDNoPfbWsaY1OIzZ4u71PaFtyVShbaquDh4fXXy7gnBsIpk1PSkf3u9AOL50StvWEMMtKqDE~JWieLQ9GavLhzCP6QDZa7YFpcbiVm2Tv-emyAXfMLyCg8H2aVpZPWAt5wOXHD0rZQBy32n8Jwi2CQZXLcPyTHO5USTX0WzvfsPwKQY~ost6p0Bed7h53gYKRk2hozRQIo5Sew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County officials reviewed operational updates from county-run nursing facilities, including bed counts, staffing constraints, changes to behavioral-unit rates, and steps to expand respite care while responding to safety concerns for residents who wander.

Staff reported that the county’s nursing facility census is roughly 170 patients and that a behavior‑unit bed recently opened after a long‑term resident died. Staffing improvements were noted but officials said staffing levels are not yet sufficient to safely reopen an additional 42‑bed unit. County staff said they are avoiding extensive use of temporary pool staff because of cost and continuity concerns.

The county also described respite care demand and scheduling. Officials said most hospices coordinate respite stays days to weeks in advance, permitting the facility to reserve beds; staff said respite stays produce favorable margins because hospice covers some medication costs. Staff described plans to expand respite capacity but noted some limitations: a handful of prospective respite patients are “wanderers” who require secure units or door alarms. The county said Hyder currently lacks a security system and some patient rooms provide direct exterior access; staff are scheduling an installation of alarms and other security measures and said they have been in weekly contact with the vendor.

Speakers recounted a recent missing‑person incident in which a resident walked off a nonsecure unit at night. Staff used recorded exterior camera footage and heat‑seeking drones to narrow search areas and located the resident within hours; the resident was later moved to a secure unit. County officials said recorded camera footage and targeted drone searches were helpful in locating the resident and that they now plan to prioritize installation of door alarms and other security measures recommended in a facility assessment.

Financially, staff reported a $45‑per‑day increase approved for the behavioral unit rate and said that change has been incorporated into the budget. Officials emphasized the need to stabilize staffing before reopening additional units and said they will continue to seek admissions from area hospitals and guardianship processes to fill available beds when feasible.

Ending: County staff said they will continue weekly tracking of the alarm‑installation vendor, bring back a status report when the system is operational, and maintain the current cautious approach to expanding capacity until staffing is sufficient.

","County staff updated commissioners on patient counts, staffing constraints, recent behavior‑unit rate changes, and plans to add door alarms and other security for residents who wander; discussion covered capacity, respite scheduling, and recent use of drones and cameras to locate a missing resident.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioner reports state budget and Medicaid items; 504 account and ProShare updates

Strafford County staff recommend pausing extra HVAC work, seek inspector sign-off to close $1.4 million roof project

Single bid from JL Industries for garment‑printing equipment tabled for staff review

County officials discuss nursing‑home operations, respite care and wanderer protections at Hyder and Riverside