Commissioners back Center Wisp BEAD bid, adopt Toys for Tots proclamation and approve courthouse repairs; several contracts advanced

The Centre County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday adopted a proclamation recognizing the 77th anniversary of Marine Toys for Tots and the 38th anniversary of the Nittany Leathernecks Detachment Marine Corps League, voted to back a Center Wisp broadband proposal for the state BEAD grant round, and approved advertising and change orders for courthouse building-envelope repairs.

The proclamation honored local Toys for Tots volunteers and presented a certificate to local organizers. Bob Johnson, paymaster for the local Toys for Tots effort, described the program’s recent scale and support: he said the campaign received $42,000 in supplemental toys from the national foundation and that the local effort distributed “about 17,000 items” last year. Donna, a long-time volunteer with the Leathernecks, told commissioners the program also aids families after fires and other crises and said, “I can't thank Centre County for being such a supportive … people around here just bend over backwards to help this program.” Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt Proclamation No. 3 recognizing the anniversaries.

The board then heard from Liz of the Centre County Planning Department about the county’s request-for-proposals process for BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) funding. Liz said two proposals were received and that staff recommended supporting Center Wisp’s application because it offers fiber-to-the-premises service packages that meet or exceed the county’s broadband definition and targets a high-priority Zone 1 area in southeastern Centre County (Penns Valley). Liz told the commissioners Center Wisp initially identified roughly 457 locations in its proposal — about 361 homes, 81 businesses and roughly 15 other rural/agricultural sites — and that BEAD requires a 25% match. The board voted to submit a financial-commitment letter to support Center Wisp’s BEAD application, contingent on final negotiations and the grant award.

On county facilities, Jonathan from Facilities asked the board to approve advertisement of a request for proposals for a courthouse annex building-envelope project that would include about 500 feet of brick repointing, replacement of caulking around windows and doors, painting of doors and windows and replacement of glass in four windows with failed argon seals. Commissioners voted to advertise the RFP. Jonathan also presented a set of change orders and capital-project contract items related to courthouse and community services–building work: a $27,952.50 coordination change order at the Community Services building, a $200,346.35 change order to replace concrete stairs and sidewalk in front of the courthouse (approximately 622 square feet / 69 cubic yards of concrete), and a $10,500 change order to replace nine broken storm windows and sections of rotten molding. The board approved the capital-project items and the change orders.

The board approved a $2,800 contract with Cutting Edge Tree Professionals to remove six red maple trees in front of the courthouse, grind stumps and allow future planning for replacement plantings. Jonathan said one tree is dead and the others show disease and invasive root damage; commissioners approved the work and discussed preserving carved timber pieces from the removed trunks for local crafts.

Norm from 911 Emergency Communications described a proposed contract with Mission Critical Partners (MCP) to provide professional support for a second round of capital improvements to the county radio and tower system, focusing on nine remaining tower sites, infrastructure testing, roof replacements and ice mitigation. MCP’s work was presented as a not-to-exceed $45,000 professional-services contract for January 1–December 31, 2025. The board voted to add the MCP contract to next week’s consent agenda for final approval.

Chris from Planning presented a three-party memorandum of understanding framework for the Decker Valley Road subdivision (Potter Township) that would have the developer reimburse township engineering review costs; the board voted to add that MOU to next week’s consent agenda. Separately, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Center Region Planning Agency (the MPO) for transportation-planning services. Ray and Mike Tillich of the MPO described ongoing municipal outreach, a new project-prioritization process and an active local grant program; the board approved the MOU pending final solicitor review.

Health, human services and administrative items moved largely on consent. Julia presented contractual addenda and small agreements for intellectual-disability and behavioral-health services (including a $15,000 letter of agreement for psychological testing services with Ben Darling, PhD, LLC), and the board placed three MH/ID/EA/Drug & Alcohol items on next week’s consent agenda. Chad described a CivicPlus website addendum for static interior banners and a renewal contract for sign-language interpreter services (rates $72 per hour with a two-hour minimum; contract not-to-exceed $1,500) and the board advanced those items as consent agenda candidates.

The board approved the weekly consent agenda and a check run dated Jan. 17, 2025. County staff reported progress on the Community Services building renovation (interior painting and carpets on the first and second floors; elections area work on the ground floor) and said move-in is targeted for July, with construction substantially complete earlier in the spring. The meeting closed after routine announcements.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes from Jan. 14 meeting — approved (voice vote). - Adopt Proclamation No. 3 recognizing Marine Toys for Tots and the Nittany Leathernecks Detachment — approved (voice vote). - Authorize letter of financial commitment to Center Wisp for BEAD RFP (contingent on grant award and final negotiation) — approved (voice vote). - Approve advertisement for Courthouse Annex building-envelope RFP — approved (voice vote). - Approve capital-project change orders: $27,952.50 (Community Services building coordination), $200,346.35 (courthouse concrete/stairs), $10,500 (storm windows/molding) — approved (voice vote). - Approve contract with Cutting Edge Tree Professionals, LLC for removal of six trees, $2,800 — approved (voice vote). - Add contract with Mission Critical Partners (MCP) to next week’s consent agenda (MCP NTE $45,000) — approved to be placed on consent agenda (voice vote). - Add MOU for Decker Valley Road Subdivision to next week’s consent agenda — approved (voice vote). - Approve MOU with Center Region Planning Agency (MPO) for 2025 (county contribution noted in presentation), pending solicitor review — approved (voice vote). - Add MH/ID/EA/Drug & Alcohol items 2–4 to next week’s consent agenda — approved (voice vote). - Approve consent agenda and check run dated Jan. 17, 2025 — approved (voice vote).

Why it matters: The board’s backing of a Center Wisp BEAD application could unlock state broadband funds and require county grant-match commitments; approving courthouse-envelope work addresses aging county facilities and larger repair costs; the Toys for Tots proclamation highlights a long-running local volunteer effort that served hundreds of families in the county last year. The MPO MOU sustains federally required transportation planning and local grant programs.

The board is scheduled to meet again in combined session Jan. 23 (salary board and commissioners) and Jan. 28 (commissioners).