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Douglas County reviews VAWA continuation grant and Sheriff’s inmate medical billing and stop-loss renewal
Summary
County staff presented a $86,792 Violence Against Women Act continuation award with a $28,931 cash match sourced from a staff salary and outlined the role of the domestic violence prosecutor; the Sheriff’s Office described a $116,246.28 renewal for inmate medical billing and stop-loss coverage protecting the county against bills over $100,000.
County staff described a continuation award under the Violence Against Women Act for 2026: federal funding of $86,792 with a required cash match of $28,931 to be provided from a portion of Melissa LeBlonde’s salary, with the board asked to amend the budget and authorize the chair to sign documents pending legal review. "The federal amount is $86,792 and the match amount is $28,931 using a portion of my salary for the match," the presenter said, noting that matching that amount represents about 43% of her time on grant-related activities.
Staff said the grant funds support the domestic violence prosecutor Andrea Moldovan and aid victim safety and offender accountability. The presenter told commissioners the office handled 712 relevant cases in 2025 compared with 521 in 2024, and called the grant "very important to our office."
Separately, the board reviewed a renewal for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to continue an agreement with ASI, an independent medical management company, and a stop-loss insurance policy at an estimated cost of $116,246.28 to be funded from the Sheriff’s Office budget. Colonel Pounds described ASI’s role: verifying medical bills, locating specialist services (for example dialysis), following care plans and ensuring timely third-party provider care. He explained the stop-loss policy shields the county from claims over $100,000: "If an inmate remains in the hospital for a prolonged period of time or sustains a significant injury that would amount to more than 100,000 in medical bills, we pay nothing over the 100,000." Commissioners asked whether alternatives or county-level savings could be explored; staff said they had surveyed other counties and vendors, noting the vendor relationship has been long-standing.
Both items were presented so the board could authorize signatory action pending final legal review; the transcript records discussion and Q&A but does not show a recorded final vote on these items in the work session transcript.
