YOUR GOVERNMENT: Commissioners consider vehicle purchases, radio replacement

The Marion County Board of Commissioners meets Wednesday to consider several vehicle purchases and an expanded contract to replace county radio systems.

READ IT: AGENDA

The commissioners meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the Senator Hearing Room at 555 Court Street N.E. Anyone can attend or sign up to give public comment in-person at the meeting. The meeting is streamed live on YouTube.

Commissioners will consider an amendment to an existing contract with Radio Technology Services to provide project management for planning and procurement as the county seeks to replace two analog radio channels used by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and public works department.

The new contract would total $457,555, an increase of $122,055, and expire June 25, 2025. The project is being funded with federal Covid relief.

Commissioners will vote on three vehicle purchase contracts for the public works department. They are:

Commissioners will consider revisions to the county’s protected leave policy, reflecting the start of the state’s Paid Leave Oregon program.

They will consider adding $6.1 million to a contract with the Oregon Health Authority for the Health and Human Services Department to provide community mental health, addiction treatment, recovery and prevention, and problem gambling services. The new contract would be in effect through Dec. 31, 2023, for up to $27.4 million.

They will consider adding $200,000 to a contract with Advanced Security, Inc. to provide unarmed security and vehicle patrols and Health and Human Services Department facilities. The amendment extends the contract to Nov. 30, 2024, at a total cost of about $2 million.

They will consider reinstating a contract with the Oregon Health Authority and adding $402,000 to fund the Choice Model program, which is intended to provide better community-based care to adults with mental illnesses. The new contract would total $1.2 million and expire Dec. 31, 2023.

Commissioners will consider appointing Salem police Deputy Chief Treven Upkes to the county’s justice reinvestment council with a term ending Dec. 31, 2024.

Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.

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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.

Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.