Waldo County Commissioners Rescind $1,000 Purchase Approval Rule

The Waldo County Commissioners voted to rescind a policy requiring department heads to get approval for purchases of $1,000 or more, and approved updated electricity figures in the facilities management budget. Commissioners also heard a presentation on a naloxone box distribution grant, tabled several policy items for review, and approved budget adjustments and pay steps.

Key points

• Commissioners voted to rescind the August 6 policy requiring approval for expenses over $1,000, with one commissioner opposing and citing concerns about department heads attending meetings.
• The facilities management budget was amended to raise electricity lines for the commissioners court building, EMA, and the Sheriff's Department; officials noted solar panels at the Sheriff's building have saved over $13,000 in a year.
• Rapid Risk Reduction, awarded $36,500 by the Opioid Availability Committee, reported placing 40 naloxone boxes countywide, with all Waldo County towns to have at least one box as of the next day.
• The county's 2024 audit was received September 30 and will be presented at a future meeting; commissioners plan to review it first.
• The county has an outstanding tax balance of $10,107,781.75, and the finance advisory committee is finishing meetings with department heads.
• Commissioners approved a $450 increase to the District Attorney's statutes and education line for a Westlaw subscription, and approved retroactive pay for the jail administrator and detention manager.

Next steps

• The August 13, 2026 meeting minutes were tabled for commissioner review.
• The 2024 audit presentation by Kevin Edwards is expected at a future meeting, with commissioners reviewing the draft first.
• The county hazard mitigation plan was tabled until October 15.
• Technology and contract negotiation policies were tabled for final approval on October 15.
• The remote participation policy will be reviewed before the next meeting, with other counties' policies requested for comparison.

Read the full transcript