Lackawanna County commissioners approve routine contracts, payables and service agreements

The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved multiple routine resolutions and procurement items during its Sept. 17 meeting, including approval of current payables and several service contracts and provider agreements.

The board approved resolution 25-0228 to accept the county's current payables, which the clerk read as including the general fund warrants 3907005391291 totaling $1,246,079.58 and electronic fund transfers, including payroll accounts, totaling $5,327,942.03. The board voted by voice and the chair declared the resolution approved.

Commissioners approved resolution 25-0223 to accept a five-year quote from Axon Enterprise Inc. for the Department of Adult Probation and Parole. The agreement is scheduled to commence Nov. 1, 2025, at a cost of $79,296. Alfredo Pisa, deputy chief of Lackawanna County Adult Probation and Parole, told the board the request was to "reenter into a new 5 year contract with Axon Enterprises, for taser equipment for our department." The board approved the resolution by voice vote.

The board also approved resolution 25-0224 to authorize filing Local Share Account (LSA) applications with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through the Monroe County Local Share Account program on behalf of various agencies; the resolution authorizes county officers to sign and accept awards. Kristen Magnotta, director of economic development, said the county initially submitted 12 applications with a projection that the total would rise to about 36, that the awards are three-year contracts, are no cost to the county, and that the county will receive a 5 percent administrative fee for administering awarded grants.

Resolution 25-0225 approved Department of Human Services Office of Youth and Family Services provider agreements for fiscal year 2025'026. Kathleen (Kathy) Schneider, administrative officer for the Office of Youth and Family Services, said renewals include foster-care contracts reimbursed about 80 percent by the state for certain providers, while several new residential-placement contracts (Bethany Christian Services, Child Safe Haven, and Taylor Diversion Programs) are reimbursed about 60 percent by the state.

The board approved resolution 25-0226 to enter a one-year HVAC service agreement with Siemens Industry Inc. for the Electric City Trolley Museum at a cost of $12,296. Christopher Calvi, director of the trolley museum, said Siemens would maintain heating and air-conditioning to ensure the museum's climate control for visitors; Calvi told the board the museum has had more than 2,000 visitors to date this year.

The board accepted a proposal from Urban Electrical Contractors Inc. to add a subpanel and additional receptacles in the government center basement at a cost of $10,620. Mark Dewar, county maintenance director, said three quotes were sought and Urban Electric submitted the low bid.

All motions on the listed items were approved by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were read into the public record for these items.

Less substantive agenda items and public-comment matters followed.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-0228 (approve current payables): adopted (voice vote). Payables cited in meeting: general fund $1,246,079.58; EFTs including payroll $5,327,942.03. - Resolution 25-0223 (Axon Enterprise five-year agreement for Adult Probation and Parole equipment): adopted (voice vote). Contract begins 11/01/2025; cost $79,296. - Resolution 25-0224 (authorize filing LSA applications via Monroe County Local Share Account program): adopted (voice vote). Director said 12 applications submitted to date; county expects ~36; 3-year contracts; no cost to county; county receives 5% admin fee. - Resolution 25-0225 (Office of Youth and Family Services provider agreements FY25-26): adopted (voice vote). Some services reimbursed 80% by state; three new residential placements reimbursed 60% by state. - Resolution 25-0226 (HVAC service agreement, Electric City Trolley Museum): adopted (voice vote). Cost $12,296; term to 08/31/2026. - Acceptance of Urban Electrical Contractors proposal (government center basement subpanel): adopted (voice vote). Cost $10,620.

Ending

The board moved on to public comment and other business after completing the consent and procurement items.