Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Centre County commissioners approve $281,709 federal mental‑health grant, authorize HMRF application and routine personnel actions
Summary
At their April 2 meeting the Centre County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $281,709.51 federal grant for a First Episode Psychosis program serving four counties, authorized a Hazardous Materials Response Fund application, approved a $504 Bitwarden contract and multiple personnel and policy updates.
Centre County Commissioners convened at 10:04 a.m. on April 2 at the Willowbank Office Building in Bellefonte. Chair Mark Higgins called the meeting to order; Commissioners Amber Concepcion and Steven Dershem and Administrator John Franek Jr. were present.
The board unanimously approved a $281,709.51 federal grant application to the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to continue a First Episode Psychosis (FEP) program serving residents of Centre, Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata counties for the period July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Helen DeFilippis described the program and the funding; the board voted to authorize the application on a motion by Commissioner Concepcion, seconded by Commissioner Dershem.
The board also authorized submission of a Hazardous Material Response Fund (HMRF) grant application through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) for the July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 period; Jody Lair presented that item. The HMRF grant total was not specified in the meeting record.
On information technology items, Chad Joyce asked the board to approve revisions to two IT policies and a one‑year contract with Bitwarden, Inc. for a centralized password management solution. The contract total is $504 for April 2, 2026, through April 1, 2027; the board approved the items unanimously.
The meeting record shows a series of personnel and human‑resources items approved by the board, all by unanimous vote: Conservation District appointments including a full‑time Resource Conservation Coordinator and a temporary intern; revisions and appointments within Elections & Voter Registration (revised job descriptions for Voter Registration Coordinator and Elections Coordinator, a funded full‑time Elections Coordinator position and several temporary election‑worker appointments); a lateral transfer within Emergency Communications for Trevor Harris (no change in pay); Human Services appointments including Lori L. Smith to a D&A Case Management Specialist position and a voluntary demotion/transfer for Sheena Nahodil to Transportation; seasonal and full‑time appointments in Planning & Community Development, Records Management and Risk Management; and a funding/personnel requisition for a Prothonotary Clerk position. Kristen Simkins, Rayme Weidel, Julia Sprinkle, Dave Lomison, Liz Lose, Chad Joyce and Krista Davis presented those items on behalf of their departments.
Kristen Simkins presented and the board approved a revisions/change in title to the county's "Campaigning for Elective Office and Political Activity" policy. The minutes list salary budget impacts where applicable for 2026 and annualized impacts for 2027 for multiple appointments.
There were no public comments recorded. The board adjourned at 10:26 a.m. on a motion by Commissioner Concepcion, seconded by Commissioner Dershem. Administrator John Franek Jr. attested to the minutes.
Votes at a glance: All recorded motions in the minutes carried by unanimous vote (3–0) with Commissioners Concepcion and Dershem recorded as mover and seconder for routine approvals.
