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Board authorizes two drug‑screening contracts for county employees, including after‑hours provider
Summary
The board approved a professional services agreement with Puma Urgent Care for random employee drug and alcohol screening (up to $20,000) and a separate after‑hours testing arrangement; commissioners discussed capping after‑hours spending and confirmed the program applies to all employees under the county’s drug‑free workplace policy.
Newton County commissioners voted May 5 to approve contracts to continue the county’s random drug and alcohol screening program for employees.
Human-resources presenter Pamela Maxwell described two separate agreements: a primary contract with Puma Urgent Care, budgeted up to $20,000, for random screenings during regular hours, and a second contract for after‑hours testing (post‑injury or off‑hour incidents). Staff said the after‑hours provider was budgeted at a maximum of $7,200 but that typical after‑hours use is roughly $2,200 per year (about one incident per month). Maxwell and county staff confirmed the testing program applies to all county employees under the drug‑free workplace policy.
Commissioner Long asked whether the board could cap the after‑hours authorization and requested notification to the board if after‑hours expenses approach the maximum. Commissioners discussed amending the authorization to lower caps; staff indicated the $7,200 figure is a program maximum and that individual incidents are billed separately. The board approved the items on the consent agenda for the contracts; the transcript records the vote as unanimous.
No specific contract amendments or final after‑hours cap were recorded in the public portion of the transcript; staff indicated they would work with the board’s direction if adjustments are required.
Next steps: execute contracts with the selected vendors and monitor after‑hours usage; staff expected to return if utilization requires an amendment or larger appropriation.
