Belknap County public meetings in 2025

County Commissioners

The commissioners will review minutes from the prior meeting, receive a calendar update, and hear department updates from the sheriff and finance offices. They will also address items in the "Other" category, allow public comment, and then adjourn.

The Commissioners approved the December 1 meeting minutes and accepted previously signed documents. They accepted three donations totaling $75 and a $470 grant for the Supervision Program. They also authorized Sheriff William Wright to apply for ICE 287(g) funding and report back before any spending. All motions passed unanimously (3‑0).

• Approved Dec 1, 2025 minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed documents (3-0)
• Accepted $50 donation from Nancy Houle to Resident Council Trust Fund (3-0)
• Accepted $25 donation from Brenda Long to Resident Council Trust Fund (3-0)
• Accepted $470 grant from NH Charitable Foundation for Supervision Program (3-0)
• Authorized Sheriff to apply for ICE 287(g) funding and report back (3-0)

County Commissioners

The Belknap County Commission will conduct a public hearing regarding Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). The body is also scheduled to award bids for a CDBG grant writer and IT Managed Services.

• CDBG Public Hearing
• Award CDBG grant writer bid
• Award IT Managed Services bid
• Authorization for Treasurer to borrow in anticipation of taxes
• Award bid for CORE services corrections

The Commissioners unanimously approved the County’s CDBG application for the Archways expansion, adopted the anti‑displacement plan and the Housing and Community Development Plan, and authorized the Treasurer to seek up to $16 million in tax‑anticipation notes for 2026. They also awarded contracts for grant writing, corrections services, and IT managed services, and accepted two small donations.

• Approved CDBG application for Archways expansion (3-0)
• Adopted Anti‑Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan (3-0)
• Adopted Housing and Community Development Plan (3-0)
• Authorized Treasurer to request up to $16,000,000 Tax Anticipation Notes for 2026 (3-0)
• Awarded CDBG grant writer contract to Donna Lane for $4,000 (3-0)
• Approved CORE services contract to Horizons Counseling Services for $252,550 (3-0)
• Approved IT Managed Services contract to Mainstay Technologies (5‑year) (3-0)
• Accepted $100 donation from Barbara Palm to Gift and Bequest Trust Fund (3-0)

County Commissioners

The Belknap County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet on November 17, 2025. The agenda includes reviewing meeting materials and draft minutes for the upcoming session.

• Review of meeting materials and draft minutes
• Discussion of the official agenda for the session

County Commissioners

The County Commissioners will meet to conduct a budget review and receive a department update regarding restorative justice. The meeting also includes standard procedural items and a period for public comment.

• Budget review
• Department update on Restorative Justice

The Commissioners approved the minutes from the October 20, 2025 meeting and accepted two previously signed payroll and accounts payable manifests. They agreed to formally invite UNH Cooperative Extension, the Belknap County Conservation District, and Lakes Region Mental Health to the next meeting and will defer the 2026 budget approval until after those agencies present. A motion to enter a nonpublic session was approved unanimously.

• Approved October 20, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Accepted payroll & AP manifests dated 10/23/2025 and 10/30/2025 (3-0)
• Agreed to formally invite UNH Cooperative Extension, Belknap County Conservation District, and Lakes Region Mental Health to the next meeting
• Deferred approval of the 2026 budget until after agency presentations
• Entered nonpublic session per NH RSA 91-A:3, II (a) (unanimous yes)

County Commissioners

The Belknap County Commissioners held a budget work session and approved most 2026 department budget items as presented. They adopted a $2,000,000 draw from the fund balance to offset taxes and postponed the IT budget pending a response about Duo key fobs. Additional motions adjusted several individual budgets, including water/sewer, heating fuel, and facility improvements. The board will hold a final budget vote at the November commissioners meeting.

• Decrease County Convention budget to $3,350
• Approve UNH Cooperative Extension 2026 budget of $82,500
• Approve Conservation District 2026 budget of $25,000
• Reduce Water/Sewer budget to $41,500
• Approve $2,000,000 fund balance draw to offset taxes

County Commissioners

The Belknap County Commission will discuss a request from a nursing home to waive the purchasing policy and use a sole‑source vendor. They will also review the 2026 budget for restorative justice and hear a jail analysis presentation. Additional items include a financial update and a department update from the Registry of Deeds.

• Jail Analysis presentation by Dennis Morin and Graham Vickers from SMRT
• Nursing Home request to waive purchasing policy – sole source vendor
• Restorative Justice 2026 budget review
• Financial update
• Department update – Registry of Deeds

The commissioners approved the October 6, 2025 meeting minutes by a 3‑0 vote and accepted previously signed documents as presented, also by a 3‑0 vote. They gave conditional approval for the merger of Pretrial Services and Restorative Justice, pending a budget presentation on October 25, 2025. No decision was made on the nursing home’s request to waive the purchasing policy; the board asked for a detailed cost breakdown.

• Approved October 6, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed documents as presented (3-0)
• Conditional approval of merger of Pretrial Services and Restorative Justice (pending budget presentation)
• No decision on nursing home security camera waiver request; cost breakdown requested

County Commissioners

The Belknap County Commissioners will review a recommendation to award a health‑insurance contract to CGI Business Solutions. They will also discuss a proposed merger of the Pretrial Services and Restorative Justice departments. Additional agenda items include a presentation of the Gunstock check and a maintenance department update.

• Committee recommendation to award bid to CGI Business Solutions for health insurance
• Proposed merger of Pretrial Services with Restorative Justice
• Presentation of Gunstock check
• Department Update – Maintenance
• Public Comment

The commissioners approved the September 22, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0). They accepted previously signed documents (3-0). They voted to award the 2026 county health insurance contract to CGI Business Solutions (3-0). They postponed any formal action on the proposed merger of Pretrial Services with the Restorative Justice program pending budget review.

• Approved September 22, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed documents (3-0)
• Awarded 2026 health insurance contract to CGI Business Solutions (3-0)
• Postponed formal action on Pretrial Services and Restorative Justice merger (no vote)

County Commissioners

The commissioners will review the courthouse lease with the facilities manager, consider a Community Development Block Grant for the Archways project, and hear a discussion on ICE detainees presented by Superintendent Wetherbee. Additional items include a sheriff department update and a financial update. The meeting also includes a non‑public session under NH RSA 91‑A:3,II (a).

• Courthouse lease discussion (Facilities Manager)
• Community Development Block Grant for Archways (Jen Buteau & Michelle Lennon)
• Discussion of ICE detainees (Superintendent Wetherbee)
• Sheriff department update
• Financial update

The board approved the September 8, 2025 meeting minutes by a 3‑0 vote. They accepted previously signed documents, also by a 3‑0 vote. Commissioners scheduled a budget work session for October 25, 2025 at 8 a.m. The board authorized the Sheriff to apply for the Patrick Leahy Bullet Proof Vest grant with a 3‑0 vote.

• Approved September 8, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed documents (3-0)
• Scheduled budget work session for Oct 25 2025 at 8 a.m.
• Authorized application for Patrick Leahy Bullet Proof Vest grant (3-0)

County Commissioners

The Belknap County Commissioners will meet to review department updates and a request from the Restorative Justice Director to apply for a Juvenile Justice Grant.

• Request to apply for Juvenile Justice Grant

The board unanimously approved applying for and accepting the Boca grant. They also accepted a $30,320.62 Juvenile Court Diversion Network grant. Finally, they reinstated the county employee referral program, authorizing $500 bonuses for both the referring employee and the new hire. All motions passed 3‑0.

• Approved September 8 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed documents (3-0)
• Authorized application for and acceptance of the Boca grant (3-0)
• Accepted $30,320.62 Juvenile Court Diversion Network grant (3-0)
• Reinstated employee referral program with $500 bonuses (3-0)

County Commissioners

The commissioners approved the August 11, 2025 meeting minutes by a 3-0 vote. They accepted previously signed documents, also by a 3-0 vote. The board approved and awarded the computer replacement purchase to Riverside Technologies Inc. for $16,010, with a 3-0 vote. No other substantive actions were taken.

• Approved August 11, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed documents (3-0)
• Awarded computer replacement contract to Riverside Technologies Inc. for $16,010 (3-0)
• Entered nonpublic session per RSA 91-A:3, II (a) (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The commissioners approved the minutes from July 28, accepted previously signed documents, and accepted a $100 donation to the Resident Council Trust Fund. They awarded the Financial Audit Services contract to CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for up to $73,000 annually and approved a contract with Municipal Resources for executive recruitment. The board also entered and later exited a nonpublic session.

• Approved July 28, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed documents (3-0)
• Accepted $100 donation to Resident Council Trust Fund (3-0)
• Awarded Financial Audit Services contract to CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (max $69k 2025, $71k 2026, $73k 2027) (3-0)
• Entered nonpublic session (unanimous)
• Approved contract with Municipal Resources for executive recruitment (vote not recorded)

County Commissioners

The commission approved the minutes from the June 16 and July 7 meetings. They accepted previously signed documents and agreed to submit a letter of support for Laconia’s housing application. Two contracts were awarded: a $1,754,898 bid to Cura Hospitality LLC for dining services and a $19,900 bid to KPMB Enterprises for laundry mini‑split replacements. The board also entered a nonpublic session and directed the Restorative Justice Director position to be posted internally.

• Approved June 16, 2025 meeting minutes (2-0-1)
• Approved July 7, 2025 meeting minutes (2-0-1)
• Accepted previously signed documents (3-0)
• Awarded Cura Hospitality LLC bid for dining services $1,754,898 (3-0)
• Awarded KPMB Enterprises bid for laundry mini‑split replacement $19,900 (3-0)
• Agreed to submit a letter of support for Laconia Housing Authority application
• Entered nonpublic session (3-0)
• Directed posting of Restorative Justice Director position internally

County Commissioners

The commissioners accepted previously signed documents as presented. They authorized Sheriff William Wright to sign a partnership contract with the New Hampshire Department of Safety's Division of Emergency Services and Communications for shared use of the Motorola LMR system. They approved the purchase of a TEK84 Intercept Body Scanner for the correctional facility and waived the purchasing policy to allow the direct purchase. They accepted a $100 donation to the Gift and Bequest Trust Fund in memory of Linda Johnson.

• Accepted previously signed documents (2-0)
• Authorized Sheriff to sign radio system contract with NH Dept of Safety (2-0)
• Approved purchase of TEK84 Intercept Body Scanner (2-0)
• Waived purchasing policy for body scanner purchase (2-0)
• Accepted $100 donation to Gift and Bequest Trust Fund (2-0)

County Commissioners

The Commissioners voted 2‑0 to approve the June 2, 2025 meeting minutes. They also voted 2‑0 to accept previously signed documents, including a Prime Care contract and payroll manifests. A motion to enter a nonpublic session was approved unanimously (Chair Spanos and Vice Chair Waring voted yes). The Board requested data on medical costs for detainees to be provided at the next meeting.

• Approved June 2, 2025 meeting minutes (2‑0)
• Accepted previously signed documents (2‑0)
• Entered nonpublic session (unanimous approval)

County Commissioners

The Commissioners approved the Registry of Deeds contract addendum to upgrade to an off‑site server, and they waived purchasing rules to allow a sole‑source sewage grinder purchase with an extended warranty. They also accepted a $100 donation to the Gift and Bequest Trust Fund and awarded the nursing home pharmacy services contract to HealthDirect Pharmacy Services. All motions passed unanimously.

• Approved May 19 minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed payroll documents (3-0)
• Approved Registry of Deeds contract addendum for off‑site server upgrade (3-0)
• Waived purchasing requirement and authorized up to $4,000 warranty for sole‑source sewage grinder (3-0)
• Accepted $100 nursing home donation (3-0)
• Awarded nursing home pharmacy contract to HealthDirect Pharmacy Services (3-0)

County Commissioners

Commissioners approved the minutes from the May 5, 2025 meeting (3‑0). They accepted previously signed payroll and accounts payable documents (3‑0). They approved the terms of the 2026 NH Highway Safety Grant, totaling $16,948.50 for lidar equipment and overtime reimbursement (3‑0). The board also agreed to sign a letter thanking Jason Drouin for his work at Primrose Cemetery.

• Approved May 5, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed payroll & AP manifests (3-0)
• Approved 2026 NH Highway Safety Grant terms: $14,700 for safety patrols, $2,248.50 for lidar, total $16,948.50 (3-0)
• Decided to sign a letter thanking Jason Drouin for cemetery assistance (no vote recorded)

County Commissioners

The commissioners approved the April 21, 2025 meeting minutes and accepted previously signed payroll documents. They awarded contracts for courthouse flooring, asphalt maintenance, and sidewalk replacement, and approved the sheriff’s highway safety grant application and authorization to apply for a vest grant. Finally, they approved the recommendation to award the Department of Corrections medical services contract to Prime Care Medical Inc. at an annual fee of $1,293,773.96.

• Approved April 21, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed payroll & AP manifests (3-0)
• Awarded Courthouse flooring contract to Concord Carpet Center for $30,130 (3-0)
• Awarded asphalt crack filling, seal coating & line striping contract to Superior Seal Coat for $25,270 (3-0)
• Awarded sidewalk replacement contract to Krito’s & Sons LLC for $18,950 (3-0)
• Approved sheriff’s request to apply for FFY2026 NH Highway Safety Grant (overtime and equipment) (3-0)
• Authorized sheriff to apply for Patrick Lahey grant for bullet‑proof vests (3-0)
• Approved award of Corrections medical services contract to Prime Care Medical Inc. (annual fee $1,293,773.96) (3-0)

County Commissioners

The Commissioners approved the meeting minutes from April 8, 2025 and accepted two previously signed payroll documents. They authorized the Finance Director to sign lease agreements for two new sheriff cruisers. They also approved sending a second letter to request reconsideration of a $130,000 supplemental appropriation and invoked RSA 24:9‑c to require the Delegation Chair to convene a meeting.

• Approved April 8, 2025 meeting minutes (2-0)
• Accepted previously signed payroll & AP manifests (2-0)
• Authorized Finance Director to sign cruiser lease agreements (2-0)
• Approved second letter requesting reconsideration of $130,000 supplemental appropriation (2-0)
• Invoked RSA 24:9‑c to require Delegation Chair to convene a meeting (2-0)

County Commissioners

The Board approved the minutes from the March 31, 2025 meeting and accepted previously signed documents, each with a 3‑0 vote. They also passed a motion to request a $130,000 supplemental appropriation for UNH Cooperative Extension, the Conservation District, and CASA, also by a 3‑0 vote.

• Approved March 31, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0)
• Accepted previously signed documents (3-0)
• Approved motion to request $130,000 supplemental appropriation (3-0)

County Commissioners

The Belknap County Commissioners unanimously approved several actions, including a 3.6% merit wage increase for non‑union staff, a $5,000 amendment to the highway safety grant, and a $14,490 kitchen steamer contract. They also adopted a revised purchasing policy raising the threshold to $10,000 and authorized the County Attorney to apply for a VOCO grant. All motions passed with a 3‑0 vote.

• Approved February 20, 2025 meeting minutes (3‑0)
• Accepted previously signed payroll and related documents (3‑0)
• Approved 3.6% non‑union wage merit increase (3‑0)
• Approved $5,000 amendment to FY2025 NH Highway Safety Grant (3‑0)
• Awarded $14,490 kitchen steamer contract to Culinary Depot (3‑0)
• Revised purchasing policy threshold to $10,000 (3‑0)
• Authorized County Attorney to submit and accept VOCO grant (3‑0)