Board signs amended grant award; commissioners review sheriff grant application and diversion reimbursement in claims

The Keith County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to a grant award that reduced the county’s contract dollar amount after staff and the state agreed to return part of the funding; the amendment carries the grant through the current award period.

County representative Roy Rountree told the board the state requested a return of roughly $7,600 and that the county signed an amended award to reflect the reduced amount and carry the grant to its June 30 end date. The board authorized the chair to sign the amended award and special conditions; commissioners approved the motion by roll call.

Separately, the board reviewed a sheriff's office grant application totaling $66,673 that had been placed in the correspondence folder. Commissioners asked that sheriff's office staff come to a meeting to explain budget treatment and whether the funds were already anticipated in next year’s budget. The board noted questions about how in/out grant transactions would be handled in the county’s general ledger and whether revenue and expenditure lines had been budgeted.

During discussion of claims, staff clarified a claim for reimbursement related to diversion program wages: a payment to cover a portion of wages for a legal assistant (Karen Baker) from Dundee County who does diversion work for surrounding counties. County staff explained the $27‑per‑hour figure reflected Dundee County’s established reimbursement rate and that the amount was being processed through Keith County’s grant funds for diversion services.

The board approved claims after clarifying which items required sheriff or other department signoff.