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Schuylkill County commissioners unanimously approve contracts, grants and appointments
Summary
At its May 13 meeting the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of contracts, grant applications, appointments and change orders covering probation software, child welfare services, payroll and pension administration, infrastructure work and farmland easements; all motions passed unanimously.
The Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously May 13 to approve a package of contracts, grants, appointments and change orders spanning public safety, social services, payroll systems and infrastructure.
Commissioner Barron Hetherington moved the bulk of the agenda items and Commissioner Gary Hess seconded; Commissioners Hetherington, Hess and Larry Padora recorded aye votes on each measure. Key approvals included a $14,056-per-year contract with Goval Software Solutions LLC to provide adult probation case management software (paid from offender supervision fees) and multiple Children & Youth agreements, including a $5,750 advertising buy for Foster Care Awareness Month and service agreements for forensic interviews, residential care and visiting nurse services.
The controller’s office secured board approval to purchase ADP Workforce Now payroll software at $79,647.50 per year under a three-year promotional rate plus an $8,300 implementation fee in the first year (total 2026 project cost $87,947.50); estimated recurring cost after the promotion is $143,613.50 per year. The board also approved a Foster & Foster actuarial and pension administration contract with first-year project costs of $73,656 and a 3% annual fee increase thereafter.
Community Development Block Grant actions included a $127,320 contract for a McAdoo stormwater project awarded to M&J Excavation, contract revisions reallocating 2022 CDBG funds among line items, and a resolution to apply for a $500,000 HOME Investment Partnerships Program grant on behalf of Schuylkill Community Action. A demolition contract with Arthur “Pat” Aungst, Inc. was increased after elevated radioactive isotope levels were found during disposal, requiring additional remediation funds.
The board approved two agricultural conservation easements in Eldred Township: the Merlin J. & Nadine C. High Farm (82.02 acres) for a total purchase price of $164,040, with the county contributing $65,000, and the Bensinger et al Number 2 Farm (18.18 acres) for $36,360, with a county contribution of $18,180.
Other routine actions adopted unanimously included prison facility maintenance contracts, repository tax-sale approvals, tax assessment board appointments and an advertisement for a bid opening on a Comprehensive Community and Economic Development Feasibility Plan scheduled for June 24, 2026. The meeting was adjourned after commissioners set next week’s work session for Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The board recorded no dissenting votes; several items were reported as informational or pending additional approvals such as salary board action or routine pre‑hire checks.
