Commissioners add contracts and administrative items to next week’s consent agenda including insurance renewal and children & youth service updates

The board voted on May 23 to add a set of administrative and contract items to next week’s consent agenda, including a property‑and‑casualty insurance renewal, children and youth service contracts, an early‑intervention contract addendum, and updated bylaws for the Centre County Office of Aging Advisory Council.

Insurance renewal

County insurance staff reported that PCOR (the county’s property and casualty insurer since 1993) presented a renewal of $552,263—about an 8% increase from last year. “Our current renewal was at $552,263, which is an 8% increase,” Natalie said. Staff said the renewal covers county autos, payroll exposure and a property valuation of approximately $204 million.

Children and youth contracts and early intervention

Children and youth staff asked to add two contracts for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026: a $10,000 contract with Hearts Learning Academy (state share $8,000; county share $2,000) for foster‑child childcare services, and a renewal with Keystone Adolescent Center for residential foster care services totaling $145,000 (state $116,000; county $29,000). Julia presented a contract addendum for Strawberry Fields Inc. to add $75,000 for early‑intervention services; staff said referrals have already surpassed last year’s totals and the provider has capacity to use the funds.

Office of Aging bylaws

Office of Aging staff requested approval to update advisory‑council bylaws to incorporate regulatory procedures and minor voting‑procedure changes; Quentin thanked volunteer reviewers who worked on the draft. The board voted to add the updated bylaws to next week’s consent agenda.

Board action

Each of these items was moved, seconded and added to the consent agenda by voice vote. Commissioners noted market pressures on insurance pricing, the importance of early intervention capacity and the ongoing need for foster families and residential placements.

Next steps

All items will appear on the consent agenda for formal board approval next week. Staff asked residents to consider foster care and to recognize the county’s network of early‑intervention and foster‑care providers.