City managers ask Strafford County to allow commissioners to execute warming-center contracts; some members demand written terms

City managers and mayors have asked Strafford County to permit use of county land at Palm Point for construction of a warming center and to allow county commissioners to execute contracts on the cities’ behalf to speed delivery, county officials told the executive committee on Feb. 20.

A commissioner said the project is intended to be revenue-neutral for the county: the plan would add up to $3.5 million in both expenses and revenue so there would be no net change to the amount to be raised by property tax. "We would ask for up to 3 and a half million in expenses and 3 and a half million in revenue," a commissioner said.

Several members objected to voting on a recommendation without seeing written agreements, the RFP that produced the selected contractor, and a clear statement of roles and responsibilities. One member proposed the executive committee hold a short, noticed meeting at 6 p.m. before the March 4 delegation meeting so the executive committee could receive written materials and, if appropriate, vote a recommendation.

Committee members also discussed alternatives, including having city managers execute contracts directly and forward bills to the county. The chair agreed to seek written agreements and to arrange a pre‑delegation executive session if the public notice deadlines can be met.

The committee scheduled an update on the warming center for the full-delegation meeting on March 4 and asked staff to provide the written terms and any intergovernmental agreements for review.