Monroe County commissioners approve routine contracts, budget adjustments and proclamations; promote DA detective corporal

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners on April 2, 2025 approved a package of routine contracts, budget adjustments and proclamations, and recognized personnel changes, during a meeting at which commissioners also issued proclamations for Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Library Week.

The actions included ratifying budget adjustments, awarding or accepting professional‑service proposals and quotes, approving vendor lists and appointments to regional boards, and authorizing use of county property for community events. Commissioners also recognized Kimberly Lippincott's promotion from detective to detective corporal in the Monroe County District Attorney's Office.

The day's most public moments came when the board read and signed a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and heard remarks from Lauren Peterson, executive director of SAFE Monroe. "Take Back the Night...is a way for the community to come together to support survivors," Peterson said, urging attendance at the group's march and community events. The board also proclaimed April 6–12, 2025 as National Library Week for libraries across the county, singling out the Eastern Monroe Public Library and other branch locations.

Beyond proclamations and recognitions, the board approved numerous routine administrative items with motions and unanimous affirmative responses. Highlights of approved items include: ratifying the termination of an RSVP lease to Henning Leasing under a non‑appropriation clause effective July 1, 2025; executing the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program agreement for 2025; extensions and awards of contracts for children and youth services with specified contract limits; and acceptance of multiple capital and equipment purchases for county offices.

Operational and safety contracts approved or ratified included a monthly infrastructure recovery services order with 11 11 Systems for disaster recovery; a memorandum of understanding with Northbound Company to provide client funding of $7,877.52 from opioid settlement monies for housing and transportation; a professional‑services agreement with RKR to conduct annual inspections of Levitt Branch Dam and Goose Pond Dam at $4,500 per dam per year; and an emergency hazardous‑materials response agreement with EGLE Response Services effective May 1, 2025.

The board also ratified an amendment with BI Incorporated to extend the county's electronic monitoring services agreement through Dec. 7, 2025 for adult probation, and accepted a proposal from Axon Enterprises to purchase 20 Taser 7/10 devices with training and equipment at an initial year cost of $30,998.40 and reduced costs in subsequent years as presented to the board.

Budget measures approved included a budget adjustment report dated April 2, 2025 covering several appropriations and transfers, among them $57,502 moved from capital reserves to cover shuttle costs and repairs to a parking deck and $702,623 in a separate adjustment that included funds for a new correctional‑facility boiler and other items. The county also approved use of American Rescue Plan funds and other discretionary awards as itemized in the meeting materials.

The commissioners approved Children and Youth professional services contracts and extensions for multiple providers for services through mid‑2025 with contract limits listed during the meeting: Berks County Children & Youth Center ($350,000), Boys to Men (fostering services) ($200,000), Bethany Christian Services of the Greater Delaware Valley ($75,000), Pure Luxe Homes LLC ($50,150), and Holly Home Care LLC ($160,000), among others. The board additionally acknowledged a resignation from the county Children and Youth Advisory Board and extended a contract referenced as 2023‑261 to Dec. 7, 2025.

Ceremonial business included presentation of certificates and recognition. The commissioners publicly promoted Kimberly Lippincott, citing her years with local law‑enforcement task forces, awards and leadership roles. Lippincott said simply, "Thank you," after receiving her badge and certificate.

The meeting closed after brief miscellaneous remarks and scheduling notes for upcoming county boards and events. Commissioners moved to adjourn after hearing no public comment on agenda items.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes of the March 19, 2025 commissioners meeting — motion approved (unanimous). - Proclaim April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month — proclamation approved (unanimous). - Proclaim National Library Week, April 6–12, 2025 — proclamation approved (unanimous). - Promotion: Advance Kimberly Lippincott from detective to detective corporal, effective March 2025 — approved (ceremonial presentation). - Ratify RSVP lease termination to Henning Leasing, non‑appropriation clause effective July 1, 2025 — approved. - Execute Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program agreement (01/01/2025–12/31/2025) — approved. - Approve Children & Youth contract amendments and professional services agreements with multiple providers (various contract limits and terms through 06/30/2025) — approved. - Ratify budget adjustment reports dated 04/02/2025 (multiple items totaling the amounts presented) — approved. - Approve use of Courthouse Square by SAFE Monroe for Take Back the Night (04/03/2025, rain date 04/07/2025) — approved. - Accept quote from Strasser's Natures Helpers ($6,471.36) and resource environmental management proposal ($2,750) for courthouse entrance drain and disposal — approved. - Execute professional‑service agreement with RKR for annual dam inspections (2025–2027) at $4,500 per dam — approved. - Accept proposals from SA Communal for annual fire system and fire sprinkler inspections (amounts as presented) pending solicitor review — approved. - Execute MOU with Northbound Company for client funding $7,877.52 from opioid settlement monies — approved. - Acknowledge and forward NEPA board appointments and reappointments (Chuck Leonard end of term; Michelle Bisping appointed; Mary Frances Posturepack reappointed) — approved. - Add vendors to county vendor list (Sheriff: Grama Global LLC; Aging: Helen R. Van Sice) — approved. - Ratify order with 11 11 Systems for infrastructure recovery services ($3,751.80/month, 04/04/2025–04/03/2026) — approved. - Approve CSP discretionary funds $70,000 for Monroe County comprehensive human services plan — approved. - Acknowledge MCTA financial statements and agreed‑upon procedures report — acknowledged. - Execute hazardous material emergency response agreement with EGLE Response Services, effective 05/01/2025 — approved. - Execute amendment No. 2 with BI Incorporated to extend electronic monitoring services through 12/07/2025 — approved. - Accept proposal from Axon Enterprises for purchase of 20 Tasers (initial year $30,998.40; years 2–5 $20,798.40/year) — approved. - Ratify capital purchase reports and computer purchases as presented (capital purchase totals and computer/server purchases listed in meeting materials) — approved.

The commissioners recorded these actions as routine business; most motions passed following a standard "all in favor, signify by saying 'aye'" vote with no roll‑call breakdown stated in the public record.

Sources and quotes

Lauren Peterson, executive director of SAFE Monroe, described the Take Back the Night march and urged community support: "Take Back the Night...is a way for the community to come together to support survivors, to say loudly as we march through the streets that we won't stand for it here."

Detective Corporal Kimberly Lippincott accepted the promotion certificate and thanked the commissioners and colleagues: "Thank you," she said after receiving her badge and certificate.

Ending

The board adjourned after noting upcoming meetings for the election board, salary board and assessment board and thanking those in attendance. No public comments on agenda items were recorded during the meeting.