Commissioners correct four sheriff contracts, authorize a captain to sign small contracts

The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners on March 17 approved addendums to four sheriff's-office contracts to correct how the county is named on the agreements and authorized a sheriff's captain to sign future low-dollar contracts.

Clyde Albright told the board he had reviewed the county's contract records and found four sheriff's contracts that were signed incorrectly and should be executed "Rockingham County through its sheriff's office." Albright named the four contracts the board considered: LeadsOnline (listed in the packet at $9,474, expiring in August), Magnet Forensics (listed at $11,800, expiring June 30), a fingerprint software/hardware contract identified in the packet as Ademia (expires March 17, 2026 in the packet), and the PayTel inmate communications and media contract (continues through June 30, 2028 in the packet).

Albright said he and Captain Brown worked on addendums that would correct the contracting party language. He suggested the board could designate who may sign addendums or small sheriff's-office contracts going forward. The finance director and county legal staff review contracts for form and budget compliance, Albright said.

Commissioner Richardson moved to approve the addendums for LeadsOnline, Ademia and Magnet Forensics; Commissioner Barrow seconded each motion and the board approved them by voice vote. Commissioner Richardson then moved to approve the PayTel addendum; Commissioner Kellum seconded. The PayTel addendum passed with a single dissent. The transcript records one commissioner saying, "I am opposed. I just don't believe that providing inmates with movies and video games is something that we should be pushing for," but the speaker was not named on the record.

Following the vote on the addendums, the board considered who should sign future sheriff's-office contracts. The board voted to authorize Captain Catherine Brown to execute sheriff's-office contracts under $10,000 that follow proper county protocol. Commissioner Hall moved the authorization; Commissioner Barrow seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

Albright told commissioners he had reviewed approximately 250 contracts across county departments and found those four sheriff's-office agreements were the only examples not already using the standard "Rockingham County through its [department]" naming convention. The board did not create a new policy for larger contracts at the meeting; Albright recommended thresholds and review procedures be set if the board wants them.