Elk County commissioners approve jail contracts, 9-1-1 grant and Act 13-funded courtroom recording upgrade

Elk County commissioners approved multiple contracts, grant agreements and appointments at their regular meeting on Feb. 6, 2025, including renewed inmate housing agreements with neighboring counties, acceptance of a statewide 9-1-1 interconnectivity grant and use of Act 13 funds to upgrade courtroom recording equipment.

The actions, taken by motions that carried following voice votes, came amid routine agenda items and several presentations, including a ceremonial citation recognizing Ridgeway resident Phil Rogalski for 65 years of volunteer firefighting service.

Why it matters: The 9-1-1 grant and jail housing agreements affect county operations and budgets; the Act 13 allocation will pay for upgrades that the county’s court administrator said are needed as court stenographers retire and courts move toward digital recording.

The board voted to renew a contract with Cameron County to house inmates at $60 per day for the period Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027, and ratified an extension of an agreement with Centre County to house Elk County inmates on an as-needed basis at $75 per day through Dec. 31, 2025. No individual roll-call tallies were read during the meeting; each request was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Kathy McClelland, who administers Elk County’s FAIR home-repair program, spoke in support of a new contract with Ron Fannin to provide on-site evaluation services for housing rehab projects. McClelland said, “Ron will go with me to projects … he does all the measuring,” and the board approved the contract, which sets a $150 fee for the initial visit and $100 for a final visit. The FAIR fund will pay those fees.

The board approved a contract to hire Jolene Gornati to return part time to the jail as an LPN at $25.56 per hour; the chief clerk noted that rate matches the county’s LPN rate and that the amount is an all-in, contracted wage without benefits.

The commissioners ratified a $1,500 contract with Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. for infrared roof scans of the courthouse, annex and prison. A county official who spoke about the work said the scans provide thermal indicators of hidden moisture or roof problems and can inform capital planning.

The board accepted a PEMA (Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency) 9-1-1 interconnectivity grant totaling $242,768. Mike McAllister, Elk County emergency services director, told commissioners that Elk County serves as fiduciary for a 10-county 9-1-1 consortium and that “it is one 9-1-1 system that supports all 10 counties,” explaining why the state funds the consortium as a single system.

The Court of Common Pleas for the 50th Judicial District requested purchases to expand its digital recording system. Leanne Kobach, court administrator, said the county will rely more on digital recording as court stenographers retire. The board approved use of Act 13 funds for the two-part request: $5,166 for software services (vendor "For the Record") and $34,350 for hardware from SBM Electronics, a total of $39,516 to upgrade courtroom recording capacity.

Other routine items: the board approved two exonerations of 2022 per-capita taxes (one for $220 submitted by the Jones Township tax collector and another for $1,115 submitted by the Johnsonburg Borough tax collector) to be forwarded to statewide tax recovery; forgave $55.44 in 2022 real estate taxes for the Tri-County Rails to Trails Association for a Dickinson Homestead parcel to match action taken by Ridgeway Borough and the Ridgeway Area School District; and appointed Matthew Piper to the North Central Regional Planning comprehensive economic development strategy (SEDS) committee for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2028.

The board tabled consideration of a proposal from Government Software Services (GSS) to print real estate and per-capita tax bills because staff did not have enough information; that item was set for the next meeting on Feb. 20, 2025.

Among non-action items, commissioners described an America 250 PA “Liberty Bell” project that will travel to county schools and libraries for students to decorate, and announced a $3,500 Elk County tourism marketing grant from Pennsylvania Great Outdoors to the Ridgeway/Elk County Chamber of Commerce for Chainsaw Rendezvous advertising.

Votes at a glance: - Approve contract with Ron Fannin (on-site evaluations for FAIR-funded housing rehab): approved (fees: $150 initial / $100 final; paid from FAIR funds). - Renew inmate housing contract with Cameron County: approved (rate $60/day; 01/01/2025–12/31/2027). - Ratify extension with Centre County for housing: approved (rate $75/day; through 12/31/2025). - Approve part-time LPN contract for Jolene Gornati: approved ($25.56/hour, contracted wage without benefits). - Ratify contract with Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. for infrared roof scan: approved ($1,500). - Exonerate 2022 per-capita taxes from Jones Township (Joseph Hape) $220: approved (forward to statewide tax recovery). - Exonerate 2022 per-capita taxes from Johnsonburg Borough (Trina Stefano) $1,115: approved (forward to statewide tax recovery). - Forgive 2022 real estate taxes for Tri-County Rails to Trails Association (Dickinson Homestead Spring lot) $55.44: approved. - Appoint Matthew Piper to North Central Regional Planning SEDS committee: approved (term to 12/31/2028). - Accept 9-1-1 interconnectivity grant from PEMA: approved ($242,768; Elk County fiduciary for 10-county consortium). - Approve Act 13-funded upgrade for courtroom recording (software + hardware): approved (software $5,166; hardware $34,350; paid from Act 13 funds). - Table GSS printing proposal: tabled to next meeting (Feb. 20, 2025).

What’s next: The commissioners set their next regular meeting for Feb. 20, 2025. Several items—most notably the GSS printing proposal—are scheduled for follow-up. The board also encouraged public participation in local events and volunteer programs such as Ride for Vets.