Delegation approves amended Strafford County capital bond after removing taser purchase

The Strafford County Legislative Delegation voted on Oct. 23 to approve an amended bond authorization to fund parts of the county’s 2024–2026 Capital Improvement Plan, removing a disputed $98,840 taser purchase from the package and adding a requirement that any federal, state or other aid received be used to reduce the bond amount.

Commissioner Mlar, speaking for the county administration, described the revised plan as a narrowed two‑year program that prioritizes life‑safety projects such as the courthouse air handling system and roof work. "We just heard last Friday that ... we're going to be receiving $1.4 million over from GOER, which is the ARPA fund, to help us complete the roof repair," the commissioner said, and noted that the governor’s council must still vote to secure that funding on Oct. 30.

Public commenters and several members of the delegation criticized including short‑lived equipment in a 10‑year bond. Richard CR, who identified himself as a town administrator and former police officer, asked for specifics about the taser purchase and procurement approach and argued the equipment “should not be in a 10‑year bond” because many models have a five‑year useful life. "If we're spending $98,000 we really should know what we're getting and we should be making sure we're getting the officers and the deputies the best device that we can get them," he said.

Members pressed county staff and the sheriff’s office about the operational impact of delaying the taser purchase. County and law‑enforcement representatives said Bond Counsel had advised that including shorter‑lived items in a longer bond can be permissible if principal amortization is handled properly, and that a brief gap in warranty coverage of roughly four months could likely be managed between departments.

Representative Grassy moved the main bond authorization; Representative Wall seconded. In response to the taser concerns, an amendment (moved on the record and debated) removed the $98,840 taser line item from the bond. The amendment was adopted by roll call as recorded in the transcript (29 yes, 0 no). Delegation members also approved added language directing that any outside aid obtained for the projects would reduce the bond amount.

The transcript records the delegation’s passage of the main motion as amended; the meeting record shows the body moving forward with the revised financing plan while directing staff to pursue grants and other funding to reduce the county’s borrowing.

The delegation and staff repeatedly framed the vote as the start of a longer process: members said the approved authorization gets necessary life‑safety work underway but that members must continue to refine project scopes, contingency planning and budgeting for larger items such as the county nursing‑home work. The administration said it will report back on any additional grant awards and on the plan to transition from a bond anticipation note to permanent financing once market conditions are clearer.