[{"_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",6131450,"mediaKeyId","5733068-88152f559d26e2d2c363d0611c93731e","parentId",5733068,"title","Commissioners revive employee referral bonus to help nursing home staffing","audioSeconds",216,"startMs",1119000,"endMs",1335000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733068-88152f559d26e2d2c363d0611c93731e&start=1119&end=1335","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733068-88152f559d26e2d2c363d0611c93731e/thumbnail_1119000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6131450/Belknap-County/New-Hampshire/Commissioners-revive-employee-referral-bonus-to-help-nursing-home-staffing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131450-e780bd6382635491844bd2a86c7a85ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135000&Signature=lRyajMZaP38tO3jVu0TUhKekXc1RiGq-qK~HUSv3oX7qKyzrxntYdCeE1FXZxfHQbN-THu9i9h1SMsbZw~SToMb-n35Pba2LiER6RXJsSQJm7zEwmO5Ea1xHa9nYXR2D3qMqUjwAQsdoXu1gmoQuXiZOS2GK5nqLM7iDSksiwjMw4kCVGJ6~EsbwVAuyiSy2Nnm1Ntlk1KUVaVxfUWFOdYAEFvV3ori~XN12vQu~GnuqQUD-dyz-alrVljmECuEoGlirj-K5yjHqgF-wf7uaunFnA8Rsowx~AP0-oHorBJjnvY3iuNPbMpLJ8edJ959NaNVe1i6abasFTRyY54Xa~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Belknap County","date","2025-09-08T21:10:35Z","article","Commissioners voted to revive the county employee referral program aimed at recruiting staff for county operations, including the county nursing home. Under the program as described by staff, a referring employee and a referred hire each receive $500 if both remain employed for six months.

Staff said the referral program was enacted in July 2021 and automatically ended Dec. 31, 2021, and that it produced no participants during that period. Officials said the program is being reintroduced in part because the nursing home is experiencing staff losses and low application numbers, and because hiring agency staff has become costly. \"We've had nobody take advantage of it,\" the staff presenter said of the 2021 run. Commissioners discussed whether to set a future expiration date and suggested Dec. 31, 2026 as a reasonable sunset if they wished to limit the program's duration.

A commissioner noted that referral programs can be widely known at the start and then fade, and recommended regular reminders by department heads as part of ongoing recruitment efforts. Another commissioner moved to reinstate the employee referral program; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The motion carries as a policy decision to reopen the referral bonus; commissioners directed department heads to periodically remind staff about the program. The transcript records discussion of targeting LNA (licensed nursing assistant) hires as a lower-cost alternative to higher-licensed staff, and that some LNAs are currently enrolled in training programs to become LPNs or RNs, which will create future vacancies that may need to be filled.

The vote was approved by voice; the transcript includes \"Aye\" responses and the chair saying the motion carries but does not show a roll-call or individual vote counts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Belknap County Meeting Room's 2025-09-08","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners approved reinstating an employee referral program that offers $500 to referring employees (and $500 to referred hires) if both stay six months; the program originally ran in 2021 and commissioners discussed a sunset date of Dec. 31, 2026.","taxTitle","Belknap County, New Hampshire","taxId",67496,"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},6131455,"Restorative justice director authorized to submit juvenile justice grant application",85,975000,1060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733068-88152f559d26e2d2c363d0611c93731e&start=975&end=1060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733068-88152f559d26e2d2c363d0611c93731e/thumbnail_975000.jpg","/articles/6131455/Belknap-County/New-Hampshire/Restorative-justice-director-authorized-to-submit-juvenile-justice-grant-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131455-0a02dd729478ba543ead5e53f70c15f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135000&Signature=NzyyymfDL2~7Yum8QTalRjh8GPR1hmuLuQ0C5UOuxXIbZ7Nh6lUN0kC6ZbHYZVvFHZIn8Uua9WNx5ifGi-cpqh2b8n1oYtAcZKWSpC1k~s7u8ZA7uAyY6TlLus8UTYnXHR7-zcf0nWW3t2nvkCYCQbGyVNmEDupTPhfAY7I7kMFF1tmOhaKglSiC7sRBkEBi4mWYJPbzZ-bZX1mcDX7-hJokFwToxc0SrDmiwrF2IuCLINiK14quZoYztPcAiHG64wCjr7e48H1IJSea8RQCBp6w4zb83J~6X~AA59ealmvdI32vMlgNCtHrGyq3avh1ii1FC1vxfgyjqBErwpyTjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The County Commissioners authorized the Restorative Justice Director to submit an application for a juvenile justice grant during the meeting and recorded a motion approving submission.

The Restorative Justice Director said the application references grant number \"30320 33032062\" and that the award amount being sought is smaller than in prior funding cycles because the program is serving fewer people. When asked about the deadline and the likelihood of receiving funds, the director said the application process was already well advanced and replied \"100%\" when asked the probability of success. A commissioner made the motion to approve the director submitting the plan; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The director said that since starting the role they have met with the county attorney, prosecutors, judges and the public defender's office and plan to meet with schools next. The director described meetings with juvenile probation/parole officers and other stakeholders as ongoing.

The discussion and authorization occurred during the departmental reports portion of the agenda. No specific award amount was stated during the transcript for this grant; the director said the current funding amount is \"a lot less than we've received in the past.\" The motion to allow submission of the application was recorded as approved by voice vote; the transcript does not include roll-call vote counts.","The newly appointed restorative justice director received commissioner approval to submit a juvenile justice grant application; commissioners were told the requested award is smaller than prior cycles and the director expects a high probability of success.",{"_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},6131460,"County attorney reports heavy caseload, commissioners approve VOCA grant application",230,432000,662000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733068-88152f559d26e2d2c363d0611c93731e&start=432&end=662","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733068-88152f559d26e2d2c363d0611c93731e/thumbnail_432000.jpg","/articles/6131460/Belknap-County/New-Hampshire/County-attorney-reports-heavy-caseload-commissioners-approve-VOCA-grant-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131460-4a87bc630999efe31066b2f3e19b26fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135000&Signature=e92Xc1A4CPLKkokXrWEawx-W1HwJOZoMBON37fTWQRhV5UqagdQiWcHCf-jnd0fKq6H5o2hVmwo5rsXnnOZWKfUu9eVL8Wof~Rt2HFyGu6EVzEf42zJb8VTeB04KFRer2gqs9EhsY8x-XNkoDgfHgkBs68ljE2j1kmYwy-uLuNsjN~n2sikI32zfloJmEmldrld7uqdk821PC~hb2xp~sM3FG8MY66So~ZdKyhFAPS09uGWuXhUJ8nU7sTHqWy-Q4ZLqvKZg8lOR9YqjM-8f9LJ0ZKKErEVC7C75rZeR2lIcTe3BQ~YgkjXm4A3vWQBlZRnKuByuIIiOFsxduA8IAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Attorney updated the County Commissioners on courtroom backlogs, staffing and budget metrics and asked for permission to apply for and accept a VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant to help fund victim‑witness advocates. The commissioners voted by voice to authorize application and acceptance of the award if granted.

The county attorney told commissioners the office has docketed 510 cases in superior court so far this year and is on track for roughly 741 cases by year’s end. \"We are now really seeing the effects of the repeal of felonies first and cases trickling into the circuit court,\" the County Attorney said, adding that some defendants now have \"3, 4 active cases at 1 particular time.\" He told the panel the courts canceled all jury trials in July and December to reduce their budgets, which requires the same annual trial workload to be completed in about 10 months.

The County Attorney said that as of his budget review the office is 63% of the way through the fiscal year in spending and is currently on pace to be under budget by \"just over $26,000,\" but cautioned that upcoming trials and expert costs could reduce that surplus. He reported the office recently added a sixth attorney who began in August and will be brought up to speed on cases.

On victim services funding, the County Attorney requested permission to apply for the VOCA grant and to accept the award if offered. \"I believe the maximum amount that we can apply for is $42,613,\" he said. A commissioner moved and a second was recorded; the motion was approved by voice vote with \"Aye\" recorded and the chair stating the motion carries.

The County Attorney described an especially busy autumn, noting 18 cases scheduled for jury selection between Sept. 22 and Oct. 31, with five having completed final pretrial steps and slated for Sept. 22. He said the office faces scheduling strain between superior and circuit courts and benefits from the proximity of Laconia Circuit Court for switching appearances, while appearances at Franklin Circuit Court are more difficult.

The County Attorney also praised a recent courthouse remodel that created a dedicated conference room for victim services and additional private offices for support staff. Commissioners acknowledged the report and asked follow-up questions about timing to address backlogs and budget stewardship.

The commissioners approved the motion to apply for and accept the VOCA grant by voice vote. No roll-call vote or individual vote counts were recorded in the transcript.

Less critical details from the meeting include continued coordination with the public defender's office, judges and prosecutors and an expectation that added trial dates — not cutting trial months — would be the appropriate response to the backlog.

County Attorney comment and the grant authorization occurred during the department update portion of the meeting; action on the VOCA grant was a formal authorization by the commissioners.","The county attorney told commissioners the office is handling unusually high case volumes, faces a compressed trial calendar after court budget cuts, and received approval to apply for up to $42,613 in VOCA funding to support victim-witness advocates.","actionData","errors"]

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Commissioners revive employee referral bonus to help nursing home staffing

Restorative justice director authorized to submit juvenile justice grant application

County attorney reports heavy caseload, commissioners approve VOCA grant application