Centre County approves vendor contracts and capital change orders, citing efficiency and contingency funds

Centre County commissioners approved several procurement and capital items Tuesday, including a contract for electronic certified‑mail services, change orders for county facilities work and a tractor purchase for facilities maintenance.

Jen from Tax Claim and Collections requested approval to use Give Me 5, a Geiger company, to convert paper certified‑mail green cards to an electronic format. She told commissioners the estimated 2026 cost is $10,003.40 (including a one‑time programming fee) and an ongoing annual cost of $6,100 thereafter; county staff compared that to $27,007.42 spent on certified mailings in 2025 and estimated roughly $17,400 in 2026 savings. The board voted to approve the contract.

Jonathan requested change orders with GM McCrossan for handrails and code‑required door/hardware changes ($121,335) and brick and wayfinding repairs ($147,104.61), plus additional Ainsworth Inc. work for roof and mechanical adjustments ($11,852.01). Commissioners noted contingency funds would cover the code‑required expenses and approved the capital items.

The board also approved a sole‑source purchase of a Kubota MX 5400 tractor with front‑end loader from Daughter Equipment Incorporated for $48,461.02 to support snow removal and summer grounds work; Jonathan said the tractor replaces an earlier plan to buy a skid steer and forklift.

All motions were moved, seconded and passed by voice vote.

Next steps: county staff will implement the Give Me 5 migration, execute change orders with the contractors, and coordinate delivery and use of the new tractor for facilities operations.