County staff seek up to $2,000 for audio-video repairs; train backup staff for interim recordings

Kootenai County staff asked the commissioners to authorize up to $2,000 for troubleshooting and repairs to the county’s meeting audio‑video equipment and to permit training of a backup staff member to cover recordings while the regular operator is away.

A county administrator asked for expanded authority beyond a previously approved figure of roughly $800 so staff could resolve recurring camera problems and avoid repeatedly returning to commissioners for minor repairs. The speaker said they would work with the vendor and county staff to limit actual spending but requested the higher authorization to avoid delays.

Director Callahan asked that Jocelyn on Callahan’s staff be trained in the equipment so the county would have depth if the primary operator was unavailable. "I just asked that we train Jocelyn on my staff along with that so that we have some depth in case Craig was out," Callahan said.

The board discussed that the equipment issues are not currently budgeted; the administrator said the expense would be handled through payables and asked finance staff (Lianna) to identify funding if necessary. Commissioners indicated informal agreement with the request to increase available authorization to $2,000 to allow the vendor to perform troubleshooting, repairs and a short training session.

Separately, commissioners and staff agreed to have Craig Davidson and county staff upload audio recordings to the website as a contingency during the week of July 21 if video recording coverage cannot be maintained.

No formal roll-call vote was recorded in the public transcript; the record shows board consensus to authorize staff to proceed subject to existing procurement processes and available funding.