Monroe County commissioners approve $857,950 state grant, ESG allocations and a slate of contracts and budget adjustments

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 18 approved a series of grants, contracts and budget actions, including execution of a 2025 Statewide Interconnectivity Grant and allocations from an Emergency Solutions Grant.

The board voted to execute the Statewide Interconnectivity Grant Agreement with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for $857,950.73 for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026. The motion (M-2026-54) was moved by Vice-Chairman David C. Parker, seconded by Commissioner Sharon S. Laverdure, and carried.

The board also ratified acceptance and sub-recipient allocations under a 2025–2027 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) contract (M-2026-57). The ESG contract C00096323 totals $232,500; the board approved sub-recipient allocations of $223,781.25 to local providers for emergency shelter, rapid rehousing and outreach, and $8,718.75 for administration. Allocations include $42,093.25 to RHD–Street 2 Feet for emergency shelter operations and essential services, $51,469.69 to Pocono Area Transitional Housing for rapid rehousing services and smaller amounts to several other agencies as detailed in the approved allocation schedule.

Other fiscal and grant actions approved under motion M-2026-57 included the 2025–26 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant for $18,100 (county match $3,620), the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) second-quarter report totaling $117,905.15, a Mosquito-borne Disease Control Contract for $141,676 for the 2026 calendar year, and an Intermediate Punishment contract for $90,000.

The board approved multiple routine finance actions and ratifications (M-2026-50), including vouchers payable on Feb. 6 ($1,258,880.35) and Feb. 13 ($567,276.95), gross payroll for the pay period ending Feb. 8 ($1,523,379.77), and several healthcare benefit payments to Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Geisinger.

County information-technology and court-management procurements were also authorized (M-2026-58). The board approved a five-year statement of work with Paperless Solutions, Inc. for CourtPro case management services (Year 1 adjusted total $79,350; subscription fees listed for years 2–5), a professional services agreement with Tyler Technologies for financial training ($878), and a bandwidth amendment with Zito Business at $1,500 per month.

Other approved items across departments included an ADP management-reporting agreement ($728 per year) for retirement calculations (M-2026-55); range rental contracts with Blue Ridge Cherry Valley Rod and Gun Club, Inc. for the Correctional Facility and for the Probation Department (M-2026-56 and M-2026-60); multiple vendor additions to the county vendor list; Planning Commission bylaw changes and two reappointments through Dec. 31, 2029 (M-2026-59); and the Capital Purchases Report dated Feb. 18, 2026 (M-2026-61).

The board’s actions included approval of Children and Youth purchase-of-service agreements (see full meeting record) and a ratified memorandum of understanding with We Have a Choice Recovery House for Men (Justin’s House) for $2,500 from Opioid Settlement funds for transportation assistance; that opioid-settlement item was approved under the authorization for uses consistent with the Opioid Settlement Agreement, Exhibit E.

The board’s motions were presented as routine approvals and carried by the votes recorded in the meeting minutes. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

The commissioners did not discuss any formal contested votes during the meeting; most items were presented by staff and approved by motion.