Centre County commissioners adopt proclamations, approve contracts and a grant application; move election processing to new Community Services Building

The Centre County Board of Commissioners met in open session and on voice votes adopted two proclamations, approved contract actions and added several items to next week's consent agenda. Commissioners also approved a grant application to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to expand medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services at the county correctional facility and approved operational changes for election processing.

The board unanimously adopted Proclamation 53, designating Oct. 24, 2025, as United Nations Day in Centre County, and Proclamation 54, designating Nov. 26'Dec. 3, 2025, as Farm City Week in Centre County. Representatives of the local United Nations Association and the county's Farm City committee spoke to the commissioners before the votes.

Why it matters: the meeting combined ceremonial recognitions with several operational approvals that affect county facilities, criminal-justice programming and election operations.

Correctional housing agreement and jail programming

Glenn, a corrections staff member, asked the board to place an intergovernmental housing agreement on next week's consent agenda that would allow the county to house inmates from other counties at a daily rate of $75 per inmate plus medical and transportation costs. "The cost per day is $75 per inmate, plus any medical expenses, medical transports, MAT expenses," Glenn said. He told commissioners the contract would span Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027, with two one-year renewal options and that the county's facility population on the morning of the meeting was 165 total (123 Centre County inmates and 42 from tenant counties) in a facility with 397 beds.

A motion was approved to add that intergovernmental housing agreement to the board's next consent agenda so the board can act on it at a later meeting; no final execution of a contract was recorded at this session.

Asbestos abatement change order for sheriff's office renovation

Jonathan, a staff member presenting facilities work, notified commissioners of a change order to the McCrossan contract for asbestos abatement at the sheriff's office. "There was a $10,000 allowance in the contract for asbestos abatement. However, due to the age of the facility, we found a much larger amount than what we had originally anticipated that will need abated prior to any work," Jonathan said. Commissioners voted to approve the change order.

Grant application to expand MAT at the correctional facility

Carrie, a corrections/program staff member, asked the board to approve submission of a grant application to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) for federal/state opioid response funds to support and expand the county's MAT programming at the Centre County Correctional Facility. "If we were selected it would be for up to $500,000 but PCCD expects to only award 24 grants," Carrie said. The board approved the application. The grant, if awarded, would run Jan. 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Vehicle transfer to Bellefonte Borough

Dave, transportation staff, presented a letter of agreement to transfer a 2019 Chevrolet sedan to Bellefonte Borough for a nominal fee of $1. The vehicle previously served on the county fleet and was provided under an earlier arrangement; the borough has used the vehicle regularly since 2019. Commissioners approved the transfer by voice vote.

Contracts and program addenda

- The board approved a contract with Eagle Valley Personal Care Home to provide supported living services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The contract total is $35,000 for the July 1, 2025'June 30, 2026 period; the county portion is $1,614 and the remainder is state funding tied to Medicaid waiver populations.

- The board approved an addendum with the Clearfield Area Agency on Aging to maintain a nursing-consultation rate of $40 per hour for protective-services nursing consults. The addendum amount is $2,188 for July 1, 2025'June 30, 2026.

Elections operations and CNET sponsorships

John, the county administrator, presented two CNET sponsorship requests. The board approved sponsorship of livestreaming for the 2025 municipal election vote-by-mail processing rooms and for Board of Elections meetings scheduled Nov. 6 and Nov. 7. Commissioners discussed and confirmed that vote-by-mail processing will be held at the new Community Services Building beginning with the current cycle; staff said the building will offer more space and audiovisual capacity than prior locations.

Other business and reports

The board approved the check run dated Oct. 17, which included a highlighted payment to the Centre County Federation of Public Libraries. The elections office reported total registered voters of 101,981 and noted that the last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Oct. 28; the county's mobile elections van continues to operate around the county and can facilitate on-site mail-in ballot requests.

The commissioners discussed budget uncertainty at the state and federal levels and said they are planning for flat funding in the coming fiscal cycle; they indicated the county believes it has sufficient funds through Dec. 31 but that uncertainty constrains new program expansions.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes for the Oct. 17 meeting: motion carried (voice vote). - Adopt Proclamation 53 (United Nations Day, Oct. 24, 2025): approved (voice vote). - Adopt Proclamation 54 (Farm City Week, Nov. 26'Dec. 3, 2025): approved (voice vote). - Add intergovernmental housing agreement (corrections) to next week's consent agenda: approved (voice vote). - Approve change order with McCrossan for asbestos abatement (sheriff's office): approved (voice vote). - Approve submission of PCCD state opioid response grant application (MAT expansion): approved (voice vote). - Approve transfer letter of agreement to Bellefonte Borough (vehicle): approved (voice vote). - Add Eagle Valley Personal Care Home contract to next week's consent agenda: approved (voice vote). - Add Clearfield Area Agency on Aging addendum to next week's consent agenda: approved (voice vote). - Approve CNET sponsorships for livestreaming election processing and Board of Elections meetings: approved (voice vote). - Approve check run dated Oct. 17: approved (voice vote).

The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

Ending: The commissioners scheduled the next meetings and reiterated outreach options for voters and community groups; several ceremonial recognitions closed the public portion of the session.