Seward County commissioners approve vendor agreements, buy used motor grader and authorize opioid-fund travel

The Seward County Board of Commissioners met April 28 and took several administrative and procurement actions, including vendor agreements for the detention center, the purchase of highway equipment and authorization of opioid-fund travel.

Detention Center Director Sara Stenger presented two contract agreements with Cidnet/Encartele: a Content and Security Application Data Usage Agreement and an Audio and Video Applications Services agreement. On motions by Commissioner Scott Pekarek, seconded by Raegan Hain, the board authorized the chair to sign both agreements; votes were recorded as unanimous.

Highway Superintendent Jon Regnier recommended awarding the bid for a used motor grader. The board awarded the purchase to NMC, Inc. for $338,000 with funding to come from the county's Inheritance Fund; the motion carried unanimously.

Carrie Sermeno of the Seward District Problem Solving Court requested the use of Opioid Funds to attend the Rise26 Treatment Court Conference. Deputy County Attorney Barbara Armstead confirmed the Attorney General’s office had deemed the expenditure permissible and advised on per-diem handling and opioid-specific session attendance. The board approved up to $6,035.80 to be paid from Opioid Funds for conference travel and per diem, with the condition that attendees participate in opioid-focused breakout sessions.

Commissioners also discussed a request for a Tier 2 hiring bonus for a vacant female corrections officer position; Human Resources will revise the hiring-bonus policy to consider essential or hard-to-fill positions and return the item for further discussion May 5.

All actions recorded in the minutes were approved by recorded affirmative votes of the board.