Blair County commissioners approve 2026 budget, contracts and authorize eminent-domain ad for Bridge 33

Blair County commissioners on Thursday approved the county's 2026 general fund and reserve budgets, signed off on multiple contracts and reappointments, accepted a $15,000 grant for an emergency-management drone program and authorized advertising an ordinance that would start eminent-domain proceedings for a 0.3-acre parcel needed for the Bridge 33 project.

The meeting began at 10 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine business. Commissioners voted to approve minutes from the Nov. 13 meeting and moved through a consent agenda that included payroll ratification of $946,593.89 (paycheck dated Nov. 14, 2025), ECMS invoices related to the Bridge 33 and Bridge 73 projects and several board and conservation-district reappointments. The consent agenda and subsequent items passed by voice vote; one commissioner recorded an abstention on a reappointment that involved themselves.

Court administration asked the board to approve an umbrella contract for all certified court interpreters under the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) certification program and AOPC-set rates, replacing individual contracts. Sam, court administration, said consolidating interpreter services "will save time, save money for you and everyone else involved." Commissioners approved the contract and discussed encouraging local…