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Centre County commissioners recognize first responders and approve multiple contracts and renewals
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the board adopted proclamations honoring Peace Officers Memorial Day, Mental Health Awareness Month and EMS Week; it also approved multiple contract renewals and consent-agenda items including PACE Analytical addendum, a juvenile-detention contract, a Pitney Bowes renewal, an electricity contract and vehicle purchases funded by PennDOT.
The Centre County Board of Commissioners on May 12 adopted a series of proclamations and approved a package of contracts and consent-agenda items.
Proclamations: The board adopted Proclamation 25, naming May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day in Centre County; Sheriff Brian Samsel (speaker 5) described the in-person ceremony on the courthouse lawn and asked the public to attend. The board also adopted Proclamation 26 declaring May 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month; Marissa of the Jana Marie Foundation highlighted an event in downtown State College on May 16 (Frasier Street and the MLK Plaza, noon–5 p.m.), window displays and a mobile wellness Sprinter van. Proclamation 27 designating May 17–23 as Emergency Medical Services Week was adopted after remarks from Josh Fremberg (speaker 10) and Harold Mast (speaker 12), who noted 13 licensed EMS agencies in the county and more than 25,000 annual calls.
Contracts and renewals: The board approved a range of business and service items placed on the consent agenda: - A contract addendum with PACE Analytical Services LLC for additional wastewater and effluent testing at the correctional facility. - A renewal to use Jefferson County Juvenile Detention Center (Ohio) on an as-needed per-diem basis ($250/day; $300/day for certain offenses) for cases the county facility cannot accommodate. - Addition of a five-year Pitney Bowes contract for the Willowbank mail machine (06/01/2026–06/01/2031) with a five-year total of $48,909. - A 60-month electricity purchase agreement with Direct Energy Business LLC covering selected county-operated locations, allowing the county to shop for favorable per-kilowatt-hour rates. - Approval to purchase two 2026 Ford Transit accessible vans at $129,923 each, fully funded by PennDOT grants, to maintain transportation services. - Four Children & Youth contract renewals for foster care and residential services (Merakey, Keystone Adolescent Center, Outside In School of Experiential Education, Child to Family Connections) with county shares described by Leah (speaker 20). - Multiple aging and Parks & Rec renewals and addenda, presented by Quentin (speaker 13), including a $129,574 contract for Center Region Parks and Rec Authority to manage the Nittany Mall active adult center.
Board members repeatedly thanked first responders and nonprofit partners. Josh Fremberg told commissioners the county’s EMS agencies respond to "more than 25,000 calls every year" and said staffing and funding remain pressing concerns. Harold Mast described the breadth of the EMS system and the theme for EMS Week, "improving outcomes together." Marissa highlighted community programming and free downtown activities for Mental Health Awareness Month.
All items on the consent agenda were approved by voice vote. The board scheduled further public actions where required (procurement and bidding for the Pennsylvania Department of Education library grant and subsequent contract awards). The meeting moved to executive session at 11:14 a.m. to discuss personnel matters.
