Wendy Heath

The meeting commenced with the postponement of the consent agenda vote until a later time, although it was later approved with a 2-0 vote. Key discussions included the County Dashboard updates, a Fourth Quarter Financial Review showing revenues tracking $2.6 million over projections and expenditures $800,000 under, resulting in a positive variance of $3.4 million; an overview of the County Trust Funds ending December 31, 2026; and the approval to reclassify and update the job description for the Compliance Coordinator position, moving it to salaried, exempt status effective February 22, 2026. Commissioners also discussed subcommittee processes and scheduled an Executive Committee meeting. The Board entered and later reconvened from a non-public session, voting to seal the non-public minutes for five years, and subsequently voted not to pursue ICE at that time.

Key discussions during the meeting included the appointment of Assistant County Attorney Connor Buchholz, who is scheduled to start in March 2026 pending Attorney General approval. The Finance Director presented the fourth-quarter ARPA report, detailing expenditures of $130,177 for the quarter and noting an expected return of funds related to the Wastewater Treatment Project. The Board approved an employee education reimbursement of $920 for an LPN pursuing an RN degree. Additionally, approval was granted for an addendum to the rehabilitation contract to introduce a wellness position, which involves eliminating one FTE Recreation Aide I position to offset costs, resulting in a net impact of $29,216 to the 2026 budget. An informational update was provided regarding the MCNH 2026 budget and the impact of Medicaid rate reductions, anticipating a projected revenue reduction of $639,732 and a potential subsidy request of $500,000 for FY 2026. In New Business, the promotion of Jessica Riendeau to Assistant Superintendent of Corrections was announced. The Board also conducted two non-public sessions concerning Personnel and Legal matters.

The Board meeting addressed several agenda items, including the approval of the consent agenda and the sealing of non-public minutes from a previous meeting. Key discussions involved the RFP results for Dispatch Center consoles, tables, and cabinets, where the bid from Sustema Corp. was recommended for approval. The County Administrator provided updates on the County Dashboard, noted that the County is ahead in revenue, and discussed options for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) billing, including offset billing and contract process participation. The Finance Director sought and received approval for conducting a public Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) RFP to borrow up to $30 million, and to adjust the allowance for bad debt for 2025. The Facilities Director received approval to proceed with Unitil for the electricity supply charge, anticipating significant savings. Additionally, the Board approved a six-month extension for the jail management software maintenance agreement with Equivant. Changes to the Nursing Home's registry program, rebranding it as the per diem hourly program with standardized rates, were also approved. Finally, the Board approved drafting a letter of support for The Lawrence Welk Show.

The meeting included the approval of a consent agenda, which involved sealing the non-public minutes of the December 8 meeting. Key discussions included a briefing on revenues and expenditures as of November 2025. The Board approved a motion to transfer up to $1,000,000 to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) fund using residual, unexpended appropriations and excess revenues projected for FY 2025. Approval was also granted for an educational reimbursement of $2,058.60 for an employee's Master of Social Work course tuition. The acceptance of a two-year, $237,800 NH Charitable Foundation grant to establish an additional County Navigator position for children and families was approved. Furthermore, the revised County Employee Handbook, effective January 1, 2026, was approved. In purchasing, an award for incontinence products for MCNH was approved to Geriatric Medical for $121,690.80. The renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Alternative Solutions Associates, Inc. (ASAI) for programming system evaluation at the Corrections Department for 2026 was also approved. Commissioner comments addressed a networking event, an Employee Recognition event, and an email regarding EMS services.

The meeting included the approval of the consent agenda, which involved sealing the non-public minutes from the November 24th meeting. A Step 3 Grievance hearing concerning Article 14 of the NCEU Collective Bargaining Agreement was held in public session. Key discussions involved presenting options for a new Penacook Rescue facility involving a long-term lease, a review of the county dashboard indicating expenditures are on track, and the proposed reclassification of the Director of Food Services position from hourly to salaried status, effective December 14, 2025. The Board also approved an amendment to increase services provided by Alternate Solution Associates, Inc. (ASAI) funded by opioid settlement funds, and renewed the agreement with Concord Cab Company for inmate transportation, including an increase in compensation rates. Furthermore, the Commissioners approved the Merrimack County Safety and Health Program and approved a request for bad debt write off of uncollectable nursing home accounts totaling $79,086.76. The Board reviewed the December calendar and the 2026 meeting schedule.