Cascade County Commission approves HEART grant appropriation, aging budget alignment, copier purchases and imaging lease

The Cascade County Commission on June 1 approved a slate of administrative measures including a budget appropriation tied to a behavioral-health grant, an aging-services contract reconciliation, multiple copier purchases for county offices and a multi-site lease for document-imaging equipment.

Krista, an aging-services staff member, told commissioners the county applied for and received the HEART behavioral-health grant for services in local detention centers and that Resolution 26-27 aligns the county budget to the final grant contract. "So this just aligns us with what that final grant contract came in," Krista said. The commission voted to approve the appropriation (Resolution 26-27).

Krista also summarized a separate action to align the fiscal-year 2026 Aging Services budget with a previously approved contract between Cascade County Aging Services and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The commission approved Resolution 206-28, increasing Aging Services revenues and expenditures by $21,148 to match the contract.

The board approved four purchase contracts for office copiers after staff said the county solicited quotes and selected Kyocera equipment. Contracts 26-68, 26-69, 26-70 and 26-71 cover copiers for the commission office ($8,545), the accounting department ($10,124), the planning department ($8,545), and Aging Services ($10,276.97). Commissioners clarified device speeds and other specs during the meeting before approving each contract.

The commission also approved Amendment 1 to the county's pretrial services contract (referencing contract 24-157). County staff said the amendment increases charges for services and extends the contract term by two years; staff confirmed the new rates will be reflected in next fiscal year budgeting.

On a related procurement, the commission approved Contract 2680, a lease-and-service agreement with Dex Imaging to replace older printers and copiers used across several offices of the Cascade County Sheriff's Office and related county locations. Records manager Lisa Johnston explained the county would replace six aging devices that lack supported software and are at higher cyber-risk. "Some of these are very old that no longer have parts for [them]… the software is no longer supported," Johnston said, adding the lease arrangement and maintenance bundle would reduce annual maintenance outlays while ensuring equipment updates and security patches.

Commissioners pressed staff for documentation comparing lifecycle lease versus purchase costs and for the vendor pricing rationale; staff said vendor volume pricing and the structure of the proposed agreement produced the savings and that maintenance and supplies are covered under the new lease package. After discussion, the commission voted to approve the Dex Imaging lease and service agreement, with the lease term to begin July 1, 2026 and run through Sept. 30, 2031.

Chair opened the public-comment period; no members of the public addressed the commission. The chair then adjourned the meeting.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 26-27 (HEART grant appropriation) — approved. Resolution 206-28 (Aging Services appropriation) — approved. Contract 26-68 (commission copier purchase) — approved. Contract 26-69 (accounting copier) — approved. Contract 26-70 (planning copier) — approved. Contract 26-71 (Aging Services copier) — approved. Amendment to pretrial services contract (reference 24-157) — approved. Contract 2680 (Dex Imaging lease and service agreement) — approved.