Douglas County approves HIDTA grant, one-year online payments pilot and federal family-resource grant

Douglas County commissioners on July 22 approved a consent agenda that included three items discussed in public comment: a recurring HIDTA (High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) grant for the County Attorney—s Office, a one-year master service agreement pilot to enable online payments for the Clerk of the District Court, and a federal earmark to expand a countywide family resource network.

The board approved the consent agenda by voice vote, motion by Commissioner Morgan and second by Commissioner Fahey; the motion passed 5-0. The board also approved routine minutes and claims earlier in the meeting by the same margin.

Why it matters: the HIDTA grant pays salaries in the County Attorney—s Office; the online payments pilot would let court users pay for file copies, parenting classes and online notary services remotely; and the Bridge Family Resource Connector Network grant funds services and navigation resources for families at risk, with implications for juvenile services and county social supports.

County administration staff identified the HIDTA award as a regularly recurring grant that is budgeted to the County Attorney—s Office and supports salaries. Commissioner Cavanaugh asked for public clarification of the item; Miss Daubman of county administration said the grant originates through the Nebraska State Patrol and supports salary and fringe benefits for two attorneys.

Paul Rumbaugh, speaking for the Clerk of the District Court—s office, said the proposed master service agreement with Avenue Insights and Analytics would let the office place payment links on the court website and accept payments for file copy requests, parenting class fees and online notary fees without in-person visits. Rumbaugh said the vendor fee would be charged to the purchaser: $2.50 or 2.5% of the purchase, whichever is higher. He described the item as a pilot; Grant Street, the county—s typical vendor, could not schedule the county until 2026, so Avenue was proposed as a one-year test. After the pilot year the county will evaluate whether to continue with Avenue or seek competitive procurement if Grant Street or another vendor is available.

Several commissioners expressed concern about transaction fees paid by constituents and asked staff to monitor the pilot. Commissioner Borgeson and others said residents had complained about high online fees in other county payment systems and asked the Clerk—s Office to review results at the end of the pilot year.

The board also approved a federal earmark, administered through the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention, that will fund the Bridge Family Resource Connector Network. Marion Feig, executive director of the Bridge Family Resource Connector Network, told commissioners the grant will expand and establish a network of family resource centers across Douglas County, leveraging partner organizations to provide central navigation, increased training, direct support funds to families, and more intensive case management through up to four partner organizations. Commissioner Borgeson and others asked whether Bridge would coordinate with state-led juvenile assessment centers; Feig said the organization had spoken with Senator Terrell McKinney and would continue to coordinate.

Votes at a glance: Approval of consent agenda items (a through t), including the HIDTA grant (item B), Clerk master service agreement pilot with Avenue Insights and Analytics (item I), and federal grant to Bridge Family Resource Connector Network (item N). Motion by Commissioner Morgan, second by Commissioner Fahey. Vote: 5-0.

The consent agenda passed with no recorded dissents. Commissioners noted they would track the online payments pilot and monitor fee impacts on constituents.

Ending: The board moved on to recognitions, retiree acknowledgements and other routine business following the consent vote.