Centre County commissioners approve security change order, advance several contracts to next week’s consent agenda and approve housing environmental review

The Centre County Board of Commissioners took multiple procurement and contract actions during the meeting.

Approved: The board voted to approve a change order with Watkins Security LLC for $13,989 to relocate five access-control doors in interview rooms at multiple county facilities. Staff said the work affects the interview rooms of MHID, the Office of Aging and other rooms in the Community Services Building. The motion to approve the change order passed by voice vote.

Advanced to next week’s consent agenda: Commissioners moved three facilities contracts to next week’s consent agenda: a five-year COSTARS contract with TK Elevator for service and maintenance of 11 elevators totaling $188,001.22 ($37,006.24 per year), a one-year contract with Berkshire Systems Group to provide one functional and one visual fire alarm inspection at the sheriff’s office (transcript lists $14.85, which appears to be a transcription anomaly), and a one-year contract with S.A. Communal for sprinkler system and fire pump inspections at the Community Services Building for $2,301. The board also voted to add a contract with the Overhead Door Company of Nittany Valley to replace a failed 14-by-12-foot garage door and opener in the correctional facility’s sally port for $17,009.24 to next week’s consent agenda.

Childcare contract referral: The board moved a proposed contract with Eduplation Station (transcript spelling inconsistent: “EduPlayStation / Eduplation Station”) to provide childcare for children in foster care (total $10,000; state-funded $8,000, county share $2,000 for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026) to next week’s consent agenda.

Housing environmental review approved: The board approved an environmental review for Strawberry Fields Inc. related to the Fairweather Lodge 2 affordable housing project, which provides housing for up to four individuals with mental-health diagnoses. Staff said this action is part of closing out ERAP 2 funding; the motion passed by voice vote.

MH/ID items: The board voted to add two MH/ID items to next week’s consent agenda: an addendum with Eagle Ridge Personal Care Home LLC to increase a placement allocation from $35,000 to $115,000 (state-funded; county match $5,316 for last fiscal year) and a contract renewal with Service Access and Management, Inc., for emergency crisis delegate services for $148,434 (county match $6,843) for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026.

Consent agenda and payment approval: Later in the meeting the board approved this week’s consent agenda and then voted to approve the check run dated Oct. 10 for $919,784.19. The commissioners noted the foster families and human services payments included in the check run.

Why it matters: The approved security work and the elevator/inspection contracts affect building safety and continued operations across county facilities. The Strawberry Fields environmental review closes a round of ERAP 2 affordable housing projects. Several items were advanced to next week’s consent agenda for final approval.

What’s next: Several contracts were referred to next week’s consent agenda for formal award; the board will take final action at that later meeting. The Strawberry Fields environmental review was approved at this meeting; other consent items were approved when the board passed the weekly consent agenda.

Provenance: Contract presentations and votes took place in the contracts and consent agenda portions of the meeting.