Blair County commissioners approve contracts, grants and election arrangements

Blair County commissioners on Thursday approved a package of contracts, grants and service agreements spanning county technology, public safety, elections and highway work.

The board convened at 10:02 a.m. and quickly moved through its consent agenda, which included ratification of nine warrants, payroll of $944,395.95, several budget transfers for county vehicle maintenance and sheriff transport van expenses and upgrades, and an extension of an internship for Penn State student Rachel Gallagher. The consent agenda passed with one abstention noted for a payment to Hollidaysburg Borough.

County staff presented and the board approved a one-year GIS software maintenance agreement with Environmental Systems Research Institute for $25,658, covering Feb. 1, 2026, through Jan. 31, 2027. The Department of Children, Youth and Families received approval of a 2026 statement of work with Computer Aid Inc. for up to $180,000 for field coaching and case-management support services.

Human Resources won approval for the county's 2026 workers' compensation trust renewal at $275,675, payable in four installments. On that item, Human Resources staff noted a cost reduction of "over $48,000" from last year, crediting work by the county safety committee and job reclassifications.

Emergency services requested two items: approval of a testing-services quote from Biddle Consulting Group for $1,806, and acceptance of a fiscal 2026 911 statewide interconnectivity funding grant of $396,536.01 covering six projects listed on the agenda. Both measures passed.

The county accepted a fiscal 2025–2026 Hazardous Materials Response Fund (HMRF) grant from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for $12,237 and authorized signature approvals where required.

Social Services obtained approval to submit the annual Human Services Block Grant report for fiscal 2024–25 to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The board also approved 2025–26 purchase-of-service agreements for Mental Health Procedures Act legal representation (attorneys to be paid $175 per hearing) and four PAHARE/FAIR housing-assistance subrecipient awards of $12,500 each to Blair Health Choices, Catholic Charities, Center for Community Action and Family Services.

Public Works and the county highway office secured two approvals: a supplemental construction-services contract with Keller Engineers for rehabilitation work on County Road 105 (Convention Center Boulevard) for $46,571.37; and a work-change directive for soil remediation on the salt-shed project with John & Claire Excavating for an added $66,073.18, bringing the revised contract total to approximately $490,000.67. Staff told the board crews "started to construct this and found out that the soils weren't right, so that created another issue which we're addressing now."

The county assessment office received board approval for a 2026 independent-contractor agreement with Weiss Burkhardt Kramer LLC for legal counseling on assessment matters at $165 per hour for the 2026 calendar year (the transcript contained a typographical year error discussed during the item).

The Board of Elections secured several approvals for 2026 elections: a contract with Election Systems & Software LLC for ballot coding and on-site support; four polling-place lease agreements with local school districts (Altoona, Hollidaysburg Area, Spring Cove and Tyrone) for 2026–2029; signature approvals for two additional polling-place leases for the May and Nov. 2026 elections; a special-election polling-place lease for the 79th Legislative District for the March 17, 2026 special election; and a professional-services agreement with NPC/MPC Inc. for data, printing and mailing services for 2026 election events. When a commissioner asked whether costs for a special election would be reimbursed by the state, Elections staff replied, "Yes, it'll be, fully reimbursed."

The board also approved a no-cost renewal of the SAVIN (Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification) maintenance agreement for the District Attorney's victim-witness office, and a $500 estimate from Craig's Critter Control to remove skunks at the County Highway Yard.

Votes at a glance • Consent agenda (ratifications, payroll $944,395.95, budget transfers, internship extension): approved; one abstention on a payment to Hollidaysburg Borough. • ESRI GIS maintenance, $25,658 (02/01/2026–01/31/2027): approved. • CYF — Computer Aid Inc., up to $180,000 (2026 SOW): approved. • PA County Workmen's Compensation Trust renewal, $275,675: approved; one abstention recorded. • Biddle Consulting Group quote (911 testing), $1,806: approved. • 911 statewide interconnectivity grant, $396,536.01: accepted. • PEMA HMRF grant, $12,237: accepted. • Human Services Block Grant report submission (FY 24–25): approved. • MHPA legal representation agreements (attorneys at $175/hearing): approved. • PAHARE/FAIR subrecipient awards (4 × $12,500): approved; one abstention noted on the Blair Health Choices award. • Keller Engineers supplemental services for County Road 105, $46,571.37: approved. • John & Claire Excavating work-change directive for salt shed (soil remediation), +$66,073.18; revised total ≈ $490,000.67: approved. • Assessment office legal counsel — Weiss Burkhardt Kramer LLC, $165/hr: approved. • Election Systems & Software LLC contract for ballot coding and support: approved. • Polling-place lease agreements with four school districts (2026–2029): approved. • Special-election polling-place lease (79th District, 03/17/2026): approved. • NPC/MPC Inc. professional-services agreement for election services: approved. • SAVIN maintenance renewal for DA victim-witness office (no cost): approved. • Craig's Critter Control skunk removal, $500: approved.

What happens next The board adjourned and scheduled its next meeting for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. Several items approved today (grants, construction changes, and election contracts) will proceed through the county's administrative signature and procurement processes as required.