Commissioners Meeting

At the November 3, 2026, Belknap County Commissioners meeting, the Sheriff reported that the department’s 2026 budget was generally on target, though overtime dispatch was projected to exceed budget by about $8,000 and extradition costs by about $19,000. He said discretionary spending on training, equipment, and software support had been reduced to offset overages. Bulletproof vests ordered through a Burns JAG grant with Laconia were expected soon. The Sheriff also described plans to use available 287(g) funds for body cameras and other equipment, including radios and computers; a separate body-camera grant remained pending. Delivery of a previously purchased van was delayed by a manufacturer recall, and the Sheriff said the county might purchase another vehicle if the delay continued. No procurement awards or spending votes were recorded.

Commissioners and staff discussed health-insurance costs for the upcoming budget: Anthem’s initial renewal rate was 27.5% above the prior year, potentially adding $700,000–$800,000 to the budget. The county’s brokerage firm, CGI, had issued an RFP to explore alternative providers and plans, with firmer pricing expected later in the week. During public comment, the Belknap County Conservation District presented its 2027 funding request, including $77,507 for a full-time employee and $11,101 for a four-month AmeriCorps service member. Commissioners asked the organization to clarify projected grant and other revenue and provide a revised, concise request within the next couple of weeks for budget review. No formal vote on that request was taken.