Blair County commissioners approve bed-tax allocation to Trail Authority, authorize grant-funded regional radio contract

Blair County commissioners on Oct. 9 approved a slate of routine items and several notable funding and contract measures, including a $72,710 allocation from bed-tax revenue to the Blair County Trail, Park and Recreation Authority and a grant-funded equipment and services agreement for the county's portion of a regional radio project.

The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. and opened with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. After executive-session announcements, the board accepted a consent agenda that included payroll ratification of $967,968.68, appointments to the Blair County Convention and Sports Facilities Authority, and several capital- and operating-contract payments.

A member of the public, Rachel, asked the commissioners during public comment about "the letters to the 3 property owners" referenced in the agenda and requested more information about the planned allocation to the Trail Authority; the board later ratified the letters and approved the Trail Authority allocation. "I assume it's for the prison," Rachel said during her remarks.

Emergency services staff asked the board to approve two items: a training contract with Bucks County Community College for three six-hour hazmat-awareness courses ($630) for county dispatchers, and an agreement with CompROS for Phase 1 of a regional radio project. The CompROS agreement amount was read aloud with inconsistent formatting in the transcript; county staff and commissioners stated the Blair County share of the project is grant-funded during the discussion. Unidentified commissioners confirmed the items and approved both by voice vote.

Children, Youth and Families presented two renewal service agreements: one with Pressley Ridge and one with Adelphi Village for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Eric, speaking for CYF, asked for the board’s approval; commissioners approved both agreements. A commissioner noted that, because of a statewide budget impasse, the county will not pay contractors until state funds are received.

The board also approved payment of an emergency sewer invoice for the Blair County Prison — $2,100 to Big Deal Plumbing — and a Compros invoice of $1,455 for HVAC work on communications towers. The board approved a general pest-control proposal with Roberts Pest Control for countywide coverage for calendar year 2026. A change order (No. 6) reducing the stair-tower-replacement contract with Ralph J. Alberano and Sons Incorporated by $1,158 was approved.

Fort Roberdeau representatives received approval for a 2025–26 partnership agreement with the county and the Huntington County Visitors Bureau at no cost to the county, plus a $975 advertising buy to be paid from the Fort's advertising budget. The board approved two demolition items in Logan Township (Hillcrest Trailer Park) — administrative demolition approvals and a proposal by Natalie/Natali Excavation and Demolition LLC for removal work totaling $8,300.

Grant-related items included approval to submit the revised FY 2025–26 Human Services Block Grant annual plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and adoption of the FY 2025 Community Development Block Grant grievance procedure with authorization to redesignate the Blair County chief clerk as a Section 504 officer.

The meeting closed with the ratification of letters to three property owners regarding three parcels and approval of the $72,710 bed-tax allocation to the Blair County Trail, Park and Recreation Authority. Unidentified Speaker 1 clarified, "I just want everyone to know this is bed tax money that's being used. This is not ... out of the general fund or tax money." The board adjourned and scheduled its next meeting for Oct. 16, 2025 at 10 a.m.

What happens next: most actions approved by the board take effect immediately; a number of the contracts and grants are contingent on external reimbursements or state funding (as noted during the CYF discussion).