Commission delays Journal Technologies contract while officials confirm budget accounting

Commissioners voted to continue discussion of an amendment to the county's agreement with Journal Technologies after county staff said the contract may run in parallel with an existing case‑management system, and commissioners sought confirmation the expense is budgeted.

Commissioner Ainge raised concerns that the county appeared to be paying for two case‑management systems at once and said the commission needed to confirm whether funds are available for the next six months while both systems operate in parallel. "I don't want to get in the habit of approving contracts that are unfunded," Ainge said.

Dave Schallcroft, identified as county staff, said the parallel operation is intentional during the software transition and that the agreement includes a termination option once the new system is fully implemented. "We're trying to implement one system and we are using the other at the same time so that there's an opportunity to remain in business more or less," Schallcroft said. He added he did not have immediate detail on the specific accounts and offered to provide budget/accounting information.

After discussion about whether 2020 budget dollars may be applied to services that began Oct. 1, 2020, the commission voted to table the item earlier in the meeting and later removed it from the table to continue the discussion. Schallcroft later confirmed the funds were included in the 2020 budget and provided account numbers for staff follow up, but commissioners remained unsure how payments that extend into 2021 would be recorded.

The commission voted unanimously to continue the item for one week so staff can reconcile the accounting and report back. No contract was approved; the item remains unresolved pending the county's accounting clarification.