Clinton County commissioners approve HOME grant application, loan and routine personnel actions; staff warns of temporary tax-payment disruption

Clinton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 30 approved a slate of routine agenda items, including a resolution authorizing a $400,000 HOME grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development with a county match of up to $50,000, and a $138,790 loan to Lesden Properties LLC to facilitate a property purchase in Lock Haven.

The approvals came during a regularly scheduled meeting in which most items were moved, seconded and passed with voice votes. County staff also told commissioners that taxpayers cannot currently pay some outside tax collectors while accounts are moved into tax claims, and Commissioner Hardy offered condolences to a county employee’s family.

The board voted to submit “Resolution No. 1 for 2025” to seek HOME program funding of $400,000 with a county match of up to $50,000 drawn from affordable housing fees. Commissioner Schneider introduced the resolution; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Other financial and contract actions approved included authorization of an agreement with Geisinger Clinic for a medical director for the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services at a cost of $4,500 and approval of a loan of $138,790 at 3% interest over 15 years to Lesden Properties LLC to facilitate the purchase of property on East Main Street in Lock Haven. Commissioners also approved transfers from the county’s 4D checking account to the General Fund to reimburse supplemental expenses: $4,279 for September 2024 and $42,985 for October 2024.

The board confirmed a one-year appointment of Barbara Mazzotti to the Clinton County revolving loan board, accepted several resignations—including Kelly Strange, deputy sheriff, effective Jan. 31, 2025, and Christopher Loeb, 911 dispatcher, effective Feb. 13, 2025—and confirmed the resignation of Elizabeth Single, clerk for Magisterial District Court 25-3-01, effective Feb. 14, 2025. The board approved hires, including Leslie Mays as clerk in Magisterial District 25-3-02 effective Jan. 27, 2025, and Nicholas Kosarowski and Michael Hadowski as full-time deputy sheriffs effective Feb. 3, 2025, with starting annual salaries stated in the meeting record.

Commissioners also approved county bills and payroll. The meeting record shows county bills of $379,508.68 for the two-week period ending Jan. 11, 2025, and net payroll of $335,978.20 as read aloud by a commissioner; the meeting transcript lists the payroll period end date in a way that appears inconsistent with the bills period as read.

During reports, Gail, a county staff member, told the board that because end-of-year 2024 tax accounts are being moved into tax claims, “there’s no way [taxpayers] can pay” outside tax collectors at this time while the transition is completed. The board discussed outreach to state and federal legislators about federal funding for nonprofits and county programs.

Commissioner Hardy said the county had experienced a difficult week and offered condolences to the Myers family, adding, “we will continue to keep Desiree in our thoughts.”

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 1 (2025): Authorize HOME grant application to Department of Community and Economic Development for $400,000 with county match up to $50,000 — introduced by Commissioner Schneider; approved (voice vote). - Approval of salaries for Clinton County Treasurer, Tax Claim Bureau director and Coroner for 2026–2029 — approved (voice vote); figures were read aloud in the meeting record. - Agreement with Geisinger Clinic for medical director, Clinton County Department of Emergency Services — $4,500; approved (voice vote). - Loan to Lesden Properties LLC — $138,790 at 3% for 15 years to facilitate property purchase; approved (voice vote). - Transfer of 4D funds to General Fund — $4,279 (Sept. 2024) and $42,985 (Oct. 2024) reimbursements; approved (voice vote). - Appointment of Barbara Mazzotti to Clinton County revolving loan board (term to 12/31/2025) — approved (voice vote). - Resignations confirmed: Kelly Strange (deputy sheriff, eff. 01/31/2025); Christopher Loeb (911 dispatcher, eff. 02/13/2025); Elizabeth Single (Magisterial District Court 25-3-01 clerk, eff. 02/14/2025) — confirmed (voice votes). - Hires confirmed: Leslie Mays (Magisterial District 25-3-02 clerk, eff. 01/27/2025, annual salary $28,233); Nicholas Kosarowski and Michael Hadowski (full-time deputy sheriffs, eff. 02/03/2025, annual salary $36,841 each as read) — approved (voice votes). - County bills and payroll: County bills $379,508.68 (two-week period ending 01/11/2025); net payroll $335,978.20 (pay period end as read in transcript) — approved (voice vote).

The meeting adjourned after routine reports and the board’s motions to approve the items listed above.