Lackawanna County commissioners approve payables, internships, CDBG construction contracts, youth services renewals and CWIS data-sharing

The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 20 approved a series of routine resolutions covering county payables, internship and licensing agreements, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) construction contracts, and multiple youth-services contracts and data-sharing arrangements.

Payables and transfers: By resolution the board approved general fund payables (numbers listed in the agenda) totaling $2,902,420.13 and electronic fund transfers, including payroll accounts, totaling $3,919,817.09.

Internships: The board approved an agreement with the University of Scranton for the county’s internship program. Joanne Decker, the county human resources director, said the county hosted 20 interns last year across several departments. Commissioners thanked Decker; she is scheduled to leave county employment on Sept. 2.

Upset tax sale license: The Tax Claim Bureau will rent the Scranton Cultural Center’s Shoppin Hall for the Sept. 22 upset tax sale at a cost of $1,040. The bureau charges a $35 registration fee to each bidder; officials said bidder fees will cover the rental cost.

CDBG construction awards: The board awarded a CDBG contract for the Taylorboro Schlager Street improvement project to American Asphalt for $373,400; the project includes full-depth milling, asphalt resurfacing, drainage improvements and related work and must be completed by Sept. 22, 2025. A second CDBG contract for the Bernard Sieminski Memorial Park development project in Dickson City was awarded to Stiferski Paving Company for $87,000. County economic-development staff said both projects are time-sensitive and funded through CDBG, with no cost to the county.

Youth- and family-services contracts and data sharing: The commissioners approved several Office of Youth and Family Services (OYFS) professional service contracts and provider agreements for fiscal year 2025–26. Staff said the contracts include consultant services, forensic interviews, interpretation services, drug and alcohol programming, independent living arrangements and many residential and foster care provider renewals. Several contracts and provider agreements are reimbursed at 80% by the Commonwealth; others are reimbursed at 60% depending on the provider and service. The board also approved a Child Welfare Information System (CWIS/CCWIS) data-sharing agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to commence Oct. 1, 2025, and expire Sept. 30, 2026; county staff said the agreement is mandated by the state and carries no cost to the county.

Each resolution was approved by voice vote at the meeting. County staff highlighted that CDBG projects are time-sensitive and that most youth- and family-services contracts are state-reimbursed; the tax-claim license fee will be covered by bidder registration charges.