Washington County commissioners approve multiple provider contracts and $2.69 million in opioid settlement spending
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Summary
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a series of contracts, provider agreements and grant renewals, and authorized $2,690,706 in opioid settlement funding for recommended providers; most measures passed unanimously, while termination of a 9-1-1 maintenance contract passed 2-1.
WASHINGTON — The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a bundle of contracts, provider agreements and grant renewals during its meeting, and authorized $2,690,706 in opioid settlement funding for recommended providers.
The votes covered juvenile probation grant funding, several Children and Youth provider contracts, a midyear behavioral health contract adjustment, purchase and software-support approvals, and multiple procurement authorizations for Parks and Recreation and Information Technology. Most items passed by unanimous roll call; one vote to terminate a 9-1-1 equipment maintenance agreement passed 2-1.
The meeting opened with a prayer from Reverend Benjamin Libert of the First United Presbyterian Church and a Pledge of Allegiance led by United States Navy veteran Dorelin Anderson. The board observed a moment of silence for Brady Brooks, a veteran active in local veteran organizations who recently died.
Major approvals
- Opioid settlement funding: Human Services requested and the board approved opioid settlement funding agreements with recommended providers totaling $2,690,706. The agreements were approved subject to solicitor review. The department also received approval to host the second annual Road to Recovery Symposium on Oct. 9, 2025; expenses for the event will be paid with opioid settlement monies and sponsorships and the cost will not exceed $10,000.
- Juvenile probation grant: The board approved renewal of the Juvenile Probation Services Grant agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Judges Commission in the amount of $250,889 for the period through June 30, 2025; no county funds are required.
- Children and Youth provider contracts: The board approved a provider agreement with Adelphi Village for placement services (contract authorization amount $2,500,000, period 7/1/2024–6/30/2025) and a provider agreement with Summit School Inc., d/b/a Summit Academy, for structured educational programming (contract authorization $108,000, period 7/1/2024–6/30/2025). It also approved a provider appointment for Clear Vision Residential Treatment Services Inc. for the period 7/1/2024–6/30/2025 (contract authorization $8,000). The clerk stated no additional county funds were required for these agreements.
- Behavioral health midyear adjustment: The board approved a midyear contract adjustment with the Mental Health Association of Washington County for an adjusted amount of $1,344,268 covering the period 7/1/2024–12/30/2024; no additional county funds were required.
Procurements, software and equipment
- The commissioners authorized advertising for bids for pontoon boats, garage doors, a Quonset hut, and used equipment for Parks and Recreation.
- Information Technology: The board authorized advertising for bids for wire services (audio, video, data and telephone) and related equipment for county facilities. The commissioners also approved a renewal agreement with CentralSquare (listed as Central Square in the meeting) for support and maintenance of the county financial/fund-accounting system for $59,006.54, effective June 1, 2025–May 30, 2026, to be paid from IT’s operating budget.
- Recorder of Deeds/Tax Assessment/Veterans Affairs: The board approved a software support and licensing agreement with Optical Storage Solutions Inc. for the Landex system at a total cost of $16,682 for 21 licenses, effective March 1, 2025–Feb. 28, 2026; cost will be paid from each department’s operating budget.
- Planning/Public safety purchases: The board approved purchase of a Polaris ATV with Chemtech insert and emergency lighting equipment for emergency services during bridge construction in the City of California at a total cost of $61,893.11, to be paid with Act 13 funds and procured under a Pennsylvania state contract (no bidding required).
Contract changes, appointments and resolution
- Planning commission: The board extended an agreement for farmland appraisals with Trustmark Real Estate Services of Alice Brook, Pa., at $3,000 per appraisal through Dec. 31, 2025, with no remaining options to extend.
- Contract addendum: The board approved an addendum to the agreement with Allegheny Strategy Partners (Brockway, Pa.), extending professional services through Feb. 28, 2026, with a $600 monthly increase under the original terms.
- Appointments and reappointments: The board approved the appointment of Jason Thiessen to the Wheeling Creek Watershed Commission and reappointments of Emily Polisa, Deborah Mahoney and April Shifler to the Behavioral Health and Developmental Services advisory board.
- Black lung resolution: The board adopted a resolution in support of increasing federal black lung benefit rates for disabled miners.
- 9-1-1 maintenance contract termination: The commission approved termination of the county’s 9-1-1 equipment maintenance agreement with MRA Inc.; at the meeting commissioners discussed there had been two active maintenance contracts and the county is consolidating maintenance responsibility under Capital Communications. The termination passed on roll call with two votes in favor and one against.
Votes at a glance
- Extend farmland appraisal agreement (Trustmark Real Estate Services) — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Addendum with Allegheny Strategy Partners — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Appointment to Wheeling Creek Watershed Commission and BHDS reappointments — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Resolution supporting increased federal black lung benefit rates — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Juvenile Probation Services Grant ($250,889) — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Adelphi Village provider agreement ($2,500,000) — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Summit Academy provider agreement ($108,000) — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Clear Vision Residential Treatment provider appointment ($8,000) — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Mental Health Association midyear adjustment ($1,344,268) — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Road to Recovery Symposium hosting (10/9/2025) and opioid settlement agreements ($2,690,706) — approved (roll call: Mister Maggi/Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Authorization to advertise bids for Parks and Recreation items (pontoon boats, garage doors, Quonset hut, used equipment) — approved (roll calls recorded as unanimous where taken). - IT bids authorization and CentralSquare renewal ($59,006.54) — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Landex licensing/support ($16,682) — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Purchase of Polaris ATV and equipment ($61,893.11, Act 13 funds) — approved (roll call: Mister Madge: Yes; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes). - Termination of MRA Inc. 9-1-1 maintenance agreement — approved (roll call: Mister Magie: No; Miss Janice: Yes; Mister Sherman: Yes).
Why it matters
The approvals allocate grant funds and provider contracts that sustain juvenile probation services, children and youth placements and behavioral health supports, and they commit more than $2.6 million in opioid settlement funds to local providers and a symposium intended to coordinate recovery efforts. Several procurements and software maintenance agreements advance county operations and public-safety readiness; the termination of one 9-1-1 maintenance contract reflects a consolidation of vendor responsibilities.
The board announced an executive session on personnel (held March 4, 2025) and reminded the public of an inaugural real estate expo to be held March 12, 2025. The meeting adjourned after routine announcements.
