The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners approved routine minutes, payroll and a series of personnel and contracting items at its Dec. 31, 2025, meeting but postponed awarding a janitorial and housekeeping services contract for one week to allow staff to supply additional information about cleaning chemicals and cost add‑ons.

During the consent portion of the meeting the board approved the nonpublic grievance hearing minutes from Nov. 6, 2025, and the public meeting minutes from Nov. 17, 2025. The board also voted to approve payroll expenses for the pay period ending Dec. 27, 2025, totaling $1,756,064.64.

A substantial portion of discussion centered on a recently issued RFP for janitorial and housekeeping services for county facilities. Commissioners and staff told the public they had asked bidders for insurance verification and details about cleaning products. One commissioner said they were not comfortable awarding the contract without review by the wastewater treatment operator of the chemicals proposed, and another warned that apparent low bids could become more expensive once add‑on services were tallied. The board voted to put the award on hold for one week to allow staff analysis.

Jamica Spencer, appearing for a proposing company, told the board her firm prioritizes transparent pricing, daily reporting and a local on‑site presence. "We approach this as being a long term partner for the county," Spencer said, offering to demonstrate the company’s reporting system.

The board approved a request to waive the facility fee and allow the Rockingham County Attorney's Office to use the Norman Lionel Major Auditorium to host an "assault resource team (SAT)" meeting on Jan. 26, 2026.

Finance staff presented subrecipient grant agreements for adult day care providers and described how items approved by the Department of Health and Human Services must be purchased and later reimbursed. The board approved a subrecipient agreement with Salem Haven Inc., effective Feb. 13, 2024, as presented. Staff said there remains budget capacity in the relevant grant line, though some vendors had not completed lists in time for year‑end purchasing.

The commissioners also approved a 27‑pay biweekly schedule for elected officials' salaries in calendar year 2026, revised job descriptions for several long‑term care positions effective Dec. 31, 2026, and a motion to repurpose four full‑time licensed nursing assistant positions into four full‑time registered nurse positions pending executive committee approval effective Jan. 26, 2026. Staff said RN hiring had been strong and that some Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rules increase RN requirements.

After public comment the board moved into a nonpublic session citing state law. When it returned to public session the board voted to seal several nonpublic sessions for reputational reasons, approved settlement agreements referenced in open remarks, and approved a previously tabled general leave request for a Department of Corrections employee (JK) covering Dec. 16–31, 2025.

The meeting adjourned with New Year greetings. The board said it will reconvene to consider the janitorial analysis and other follow‑ups at the next meeting.