Cumberland County commissioners approve slate of contracts, grants and donations

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 3 approved a series of routine contract amendments, grant applications and one equipment donation during a meeting that included brief staff presentations and no extended public debate.

County staff presented amendments to senior-center contracts for East Pennsboro Township and the Salvation Army, each receiving an additional $5,500 for fiscal year 2024–25 to be split between operating costs and social, recreational and educational activities. Commissioners moved and seconded approval with no discussion.

The board approved a contract increase request for Bethany Christian Services of Central Pennsylvania, a provider of foster-care services to the county. Staff said Bethany requested increases to five foster-care service levels ranging between about 12.65% and 26.23% for fiscal year 2025–26; commissioners approved the increase without additional questions.

The board authorized submission of two grant-related applications. The commissioners approved a $3,000 sponsorship application to the Cumberland County-based CADA program for the county’s “America 250 PA Cumberland County” celebration. The board also authorized applying for Highmark’s Bright Blue Futures grant: a $22,600 proposal for criminal-justice services that would, if awarded, allocate $10,000 toward a social-worker salary and the remainder to a small-assistance fund for client needs such as bus passes.

Commissioners approved a 36-month renewal of a commercial research-tool contract used by multiple county departments (including the sheriff’s department, court administration, collections and domestic relations). Staff said the renewal includes about a 5% increase from current pricing; the county purchased 60 licenses and currently has about 48 active users. Commissioners asked staff to audit departmental usage and report back.

A three-year contract with HealthEquity for administrative services for employee health savings accounts also received approval; staff said the agreement carries a 0% rate increase, with a modest dollar increase budgeted to reflect expected enrollment changes.

Mental-health and intellectual/developmental-disability services staff presented two contract amendments to increase early-intervention services: an increase of $3,785 for services provided by Jamie Matthews (occupational therapy) and $5,459 for speech therapy provided by Theraplay. Commissioners approved both amendments.

The board approved an MOU to house adult inmates with Franklin County Prison. County staff said Cumberland County Prison will house male and female offenders over age 18 as space allows; the per-diem rate is $100 per day and an hourly rate of $45 applies for transportation costs incurred when an inmate requires outside medical treatment. The motion was approved with no further discussion.

Public-safety officials asked the board to approve a one-year combined contract with PowerDMS for policy and training management at a cost of $11,503.56; commissioners approved the contract. The board also accepted a donation from TAM Systems of Dillsburg: an entrapment-rescue tube valued at $3,755.09 for use by the county’s special-hazards operations, hazmat and technical-rescue teams.

The meeting included commissioner liaison reports on topics ranging from farm-preservation closings and early-intervention trainings to emergency-services recognition and upcoming hazardous-waste disposal events. The board reported holding an executive session Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m. on personnel and scheduled another executive session immediately following the public meeting.

Votes at the meeting were procedural and unanimous where called; staff presenters made the substantive descriptions of each contract or grant. Several items prompted follow-up requests from commissioners, including a deeper review of research-tool license utilization by department.