Clearfield County commissioners approve payments, adopt March for Meals proclamation and greenlight records digitization

CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. — The Clearfield County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 approved routine county payments, personnel actions and a series of contracts and administrative steps while adopting a proclamation recognizing March as March for Meals Month.

Controller Edwards presented the bills approved by the board, saying the general fund totaled "$6,096,485.65" and that the meeting's combined payouts across funds were "$6,523,493.39." The commissioners moved and approved payment of bills as presented.

The county also approved routine personnel actions, including a temporary part-time elections hire effective Feb. 24, 2026, and a separation of a county social service aide in Children and Youth Services effective Feb. 16, 2026.

Dennis Bancuso of the Area Agency on Aging/Mature Resources Group spoke for the March for Meals awareness campaign and described the local Meals on Wheels effort. "The Meals on Wheels program is a cornerstone of the agency services and the program provides nutritious meals and companionship to seniors on a daily basis," Bancuso said. The board read a proclamation declaring March 2026 the 25th annual March for Meals Month in Clearfield County and adopted it by unanimous voice vote.

The board approved several contract and operational items:

- Records digitization: Staff recommended entering a digitization agreement with Printostat Incorporated to convert microfiche and other records into searchable images. Staff said the vendor obtained three quotes and that the registrar estimates about "730,000" images and "a little bit over $55,000" for the work; the board approved the agreement. The contract will create digital copies, an accompanying file index (Excel spreadsheet) and hard-drive backups.

- Postage machine lease: The commissioners approved a five-year lease with Quadient Leasing for a postage machine at an indicated rate of $306.83 per month (invoiced quarterly).

- Planning commission vacancy and appointment: The board announced a planning commission opening (term ending 12/31/2028) and asked for letters of interest by March 6. It also appointed Mike Kennes to fill an unexpired farmer-director term on the Clearfield County Conservation Board through December 2026; commissioners cited his prior service as an associate member and experience in agriculture.

- Children and Youth Services contracts: The board approved an addendum to an existing purchase-of-service agreement with Pathways Adolescent Center Incorporated to add a new program/placement option and renewed a standard purchase-of-service contract with Woods Services for juvenile-on-probation placements.

- Facilities and technology steps: The board authorized advertising bids to renovate 318 East Locust Street to house the magistrate’s office, with a mandatory site visit and pre-bid meeting set for March 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., bids due by 3:00 p.m. Monday, March 9, and bid opening planned for the March 10 meeting. Commissioners also authorized a request for proposals for a VoIP phone system to replace the county’s aging equipment, citing improved features and flexibility.

Administration noted residents should watch for tax bills expected to be mailed around March 1 and to contact their tax collector or the assessment office if there are address or name issues. County staff also briefed the public on precinct consolidations in the Du Bois area and said new voter registration cards will be mailed where precinct names or boundaries changed.

The board offered condolences on the recent passing of Jane Lee Woolridge Eyre, a long-time community and arts volunteer, and adjourned at 10:58 a.m.

Votes at a glance (recorded outcome): - Approve payment of bills as presented — Approved (voice vote) - Approve treasurer’s/retirement report and $250,000 transfer to retirement fund — Approved (voice vote) - Adopt March for Meals Month proclamation — Approved (voice vote) - Enter digitization agreement with Printostat Incorporated — Approved (voice vote) - Approve Quadient postage-machine lease — Approved (voice vote) - Appoint Mike Kennes to the Clearfield County Conservation Board — Approved (voice vote) - Approve Pathways Adolescent Center addendum — Approved (voice vote) - Renew Woods Services purchase-of-service agreement — Approved (voice vote) - Authorize bids for 318 East Locust Street renovations — Authorized (voice vote) - Authorize RFP for VoIP phone system — Authorized (voice vote)

What happens next: staff will execute the approved contracts, post the bid and RFP notices per the announced schedules, and proceed with implementation steps for digitization and facility renovations.