The Board of Supervisors approved a set of consent items Dec. 9 that included county attorney grant awards to support victim services and a budget amendment to increase road maintenance spending authority.

County Attorney Amma Barker described three grant-related items: support for victim-notification staff, funding for restitution advocacy to document victim losses (the county reported $650,000 in court-ordered restitution last year), and a DPS-supported anti–human trafficking grant that will fund Northland Family Help Center as a partner and provide training and a local summit. Barker said the grants will support staff positions and training for prosecution and victim services.

Separately, Public Works Director Christopher Tressler asked the board to approve a budget amendment to increase Fund 1137 (road maintenance sales tax) by $2,726,946 for FY2026. Tressler said additional fund balance and favorable pricing allowed the county to expand capital project delivery and support purchases such as heavy equipment, snow removal gear and pavement-preservation work; he also noted upcoming grant matches for Perkinsville and other multi-year projects.

All items were included on the consent agenda or moved from consent and approved by voice vote without opposition. Board members thanked staff and emphasized the importance of victim services and infrastructure investments.

Next steps: county staff will implement grant-funded positions and schedule training/summit activity; Public Works will allocate the amended road maintenance funds to equipment purchases, pavement-preservation work and grant matches as identified in the 10-year plan.