Belknap County commissioners approve minutes, nonunion wage increases, grant changes and purchasing updates
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Summary
The board unanimously approved meeting minutes, budgeted nonunion wage increases, a $5,000 highway safety grant extension for the sheriff’s office, a kitchen steamer purchase, and a revision to the county purchasing policy to align with state statute.
Belknap County commissioners unanimously approved several routine items and grants during the meeting, including a budgeted nonunion wage increase, a sheriff’s highway safety grant extension, a kitchen-equipment purchase and a revision to the county purchasing policy.
The board approved the previous meeting’s minutes and the earlier calendar by voice vote. A motion to authorize wage increases for nonunion employees was approved; Deborah, a county staff member, said the proposal requests approval of “the wage increases for nonunion employees that were budgeted in this year's budget” and cited a 3.6 percent increase that matches union contracts. The motion passed with all commissioners voting in favor.
Sheriff Bridal asked the board to accept an additional $5,000 from the Department of Safety on top of an existing highway safety grant; he said the award includes a $1,250 match that the department absorbs through regular vehicle and personnel use. The board approved extending the grant through Sept. 30 of the grant cycle with a unanimous vote.
County staff presented bids for a new commercial kitchen steamer obtained via RFP. The bids were: Alternative Sales at about $16,000 (plus add-ons), Commercial Kitchens at $17,522, and Culinary Depot at $14,489.59, which staff recommended. The board voted to award the purchase to Culinary Depot.
The board also voted to revise the county’s purchasing policy to conform with state law, citing a change in the competitive-bid threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 under the referenced statute. A motion to adopt the revised purchasing policy carried unanimously.
Finally, the board granted retroactive permission to submit and accept a “Boca” grant application for victim-witness advocate positions. County staff said the office requested permission after the application deadline was brought to their attention; the requested award amount for the July 1–Dec. 31 cycle was stated as $42,613. Commissioners approved submission and acceptance of the grant if awarded.
All recorded motions described above passed by voice vote; where individual tallies were spoken the outcome was three ayes and no nay votes.
