Clearfield County commissioners on Oct. 28 approved the county’s 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application and a companion fair-housing resolution, awarded a one-year food service contract for the county jail and adopted proclamations recognizing November as National Adoption Month and Veterans Appreciation Month. Commissioners also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Court of Common Pleas domestic relations office, confirmed two conservation-district appointments, approved several provider service agreements, and raised concerns about the ongoing Pennsylvania state budget impasse and its effect on county services.

The county’s CDBG application, to be filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development by Oct. 31, allocates Clearfield County’s non-entitlement funds largely to housing rehabilitation and local street and stormwater projects in partner municipalities. Lisa Kovalik, who presented the application summary to the board, said Clearfield County will direct $209,984 of county-administered funds toward housing rehabilitation and $46,093 toward program administration. The Clearfield Borough proposal includes funding for Levy Street for resurfacing and stormwater work (the presentation listed $93,410 for construction and a program-administration allocation that the transcript spells inconsistently; the amount for borough administration was described by staff as approximately $20,500). Lawrence Township’s application totals $130,003.96, with $106,926 earmarked for street improvements on Good Street and $23,470 for administration. Woodward Township intends to complete paving on Kendrick Street; the transcript did not specify the final CDBG dollar amount for that work.

Why it matters: CDBG grants support housing and basic infrastructure in smaller municipalities that do not receive federal entitlement CDBG funds. County staff noted long waiting lists for housing repairs and pedestrian-safety concerns on the streets proposed for improvement.

County solicitor and election-office updates: The county solicitor reminded residents that the Nov. 4 election is approaching and said, “Today is the last day to apply for mail‑in ballots, and those mail‑in ballots do need to be received by 08:00 on November 4.” The solicitor also said the elections office would accept in‑person absentee applications and remain open until 5 p.m. that day. Commissioners used the meeting to urge voter participation and compliance with deadlines.

State budget impasse and county finances: Commissioners spent part of the meeting addressing the Commonwealth’s continuing budget impasse. The board noted Pennsylvania had been operating without a state budget for 119 days and warned that prolonged delay is already straining some local providers. Commissioners praised controller John Edwards for short-term fiscal planning but said the county is beginning to rely on reserve funds and that smaller social‑service providers risk going unpaid or leaving the field. The board described the situation as creating an operational and long‑term cost to taxpayers, particularly if the state delay forces use of operating reserves or causes the county to front payments that may not be reimbursed.

Jail food service contract: The board reviewed two proposals for county jail food services and voted to award the contract to Trinity Services Group. County staff said Trinity has provided services for the county in the past and recommended awarding a one‑year contract with optional renewals; the board approved the recommendation and directed staff to finalize the agreement for signature.

Memorandum with domestic relations: Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding between the Court of Common Pleas domestic relations division and the county detailing allocations, bonuses and transfers between the two offices. The board adopted the MOU after discussion; the motion passed with two commissioners voting in favor and one opposed.

Proclamations and community presentations: Jennifer Teets, adoption program manager at the Children’s Aid Society, asked the county to proclaim November as National Adoption Month and described the need for adoptive families for older children and youth in Pennsylvania. Teets said about 3,500 children in the state had a goal of adoption and that “26 percent of those children will age out of care without ever finding a forever family.” The commissioners adopted the proclamation. The board also read and adopted a proclamation designating November as Veterans Appreciation Month; Mason Strauss, mayor of Clearfield Borough, joined the meeting to acknowledge veterans and borough plans to adopt a parallel proclamation.

Appointments, service agreements and other routine business: The board approved personnel changes as presented by human resources; reappointed Mike Hollabaugh as public director and appointed Landon Fairman as farmer director to the Clearfield County Conservation District, replacing a retiring member; and approved standard purchase‑of‑service renewals with Sinclair Child Services (including independent living services) and Holly Home Care LLC. The board approved payment of county bills presented by Controller Edwards.

Votes at a glance
- Approve payment of bills: approved by voice vote (motion and second recorded; vote recorded as unanimous “Aye”).
- Personnel changes (new hires, transfers, separations): approved by voice vote (unanimous “Aye”).
- Proclaim November as National Adoption Month: motion approved by voice vote (unanimous “Aye”).
- Proclaim November as Veterans Appreciation Month: motion approved by voice vote (unanimous “Aye”).
- Award food service bid for county jail to Trinity Services Group (one‑year term, optional renewals): motion approved by voice vote (unanimous “Aye”); staff to finalize agreement.
- Approve CDBG application and Resolution 2025‑8 (declaring requirements met for application): motion approved by voice vote (unanimous “Aye”).
- Approve Fair Housing Resolution 2025‑9 (appoint county fair‑housing officer and 504/ADA officer): motion approved by voice vote (unanimous “Aye”).
- Approve memorandum of understanding with Court of Common Pleas domestic relations: motion passed (2 in favor, 1 opposed).
- Appoint Landon Fairman (farmer director) and Mike Hollabaugh (public director) to Clearfield County Conservation District board: motion approved by voice vote (unanimous “Aye”).
- Approve purchase‑of‑service agreements with Holly Home Care LLC, Sinclair Child Services Inc., and Sinclair Independent Living: motion approved by voice vote (unanimous “Aye”).

The meeting ended after a brief period of general business and encouragement to voters ahead of Nov. 4. Commissioners asked staff to proceed with contract finalizations and filings related to CDBG and election filings.