Susquehanna County adopts resolution to step up mental-health services; commissioners approve routine purchases, hire and termination

Susquehanna County commissioners on May 21 approved Resolution 2604 to join a nationwide initiative intended to reduce incarceration of people with mental health issues and voted to complete a series of routine business items including purchases, contracts, a hiring and a termination.

A presenter called forward by the chair (identified in the transcript as Jenny) described the initiative as a decade-old, nationwide framework that provides technical support and data collection tools to identify service gaps. "It's been around for 10 years... We'll be the 580 fourth county to join the initiative," the presenter said, adding that the program requires no cost to the county. The board voiced support and adopted the resolution by voice vote.

In the same session the board approved a roster of routine items by voice vote: approval of the May 13 minutes (with an amendment to a state food grant amount as read in the meeting), payment of county bills, travel and seminar requests, proclamation of June as Men’s Health Month, ratification of a GRAMA agreement to purchase three SIP trunk licenses for the recycling center, a monthly phone-service agreement with NUSO at $61.47 per month, purchase of eight network switches for 911 tower sites (amount read in the transcript as $52.19 and 60¢), replacement computers for 911/EMA totaling $44,005.94 to be paid with FEMA funding, a contract with reout reauction.com for online foreclosure sales, tabling of item 12, acknowledgment of the hiring of Matthew Granick as assistant/deputy sheriff at $26 per hour effective May 28, and ratification of the termination of Melanie Rivera from the 9-1-1 telepreter position effective May 21, 2026.

The chair noted Commissioner McNamara was absent. For the recorded voice votes the chair repeatedly called for "all in favor" and received affirmative "aye" responses; the transcript does not record individualized roll-call tallies for each item. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 a.m.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Resolution 2604 (Step Up for Mental Health): approved by voice vote (aye responses recorded). - Item 2 (approve minutes, amended): approved by voice vote. - Item 3 (pay bills): approved by voice vote. - Item 4 (travel/seminar requests): approved by voice vote. - Item 5 (Proclamation — Men’s Health Month): approved by voice vote. - Item 6 (adopt resolution 2604): approved by voice vote. - Item 7 (ratify GRAMA SIP trunk purchase): approved by voice vote. - Item 8 (NUSO phone agreement $61.47/month): approved by voice vote. - Item 9 (network switches for 911): approved by voice vote (total amount read in transcript). - Item 10 (replacement computers $44,005.94): approved by voice vote (FEMA funding noted). - Item 11 (reout reauction.com contract): approved by voice vote. - Item 12: tabled by voice vote. - Item 13 (hire Matthew Granick, $26/hr, effective May 28): acknowledged by voice vote. - Item 14 (terminate Melanie Rivera, effective 05/21/2026): ratified by voice vote.

The board did not specify deadlines or implementation plans for most purchases in the meeting; several items were described as paid with external funding (for example, FEMA for the computer replacements).