Schuylkill County commissioners approve contracts, cybergrant administration and insurance payment

On May 27, 2026, the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a slate of service contracts and administrative measures affecting county services, regional cybersecurity and insurance coverage.

The board approved a package of 12 Children & Youth agreements and one addendum covering foster care, residential and specialized services with multiple providers, including Access Foster Care & Adoption; 360Civic, Inc. dba IRONWALL by Incogni; SpeakWrite (addendum extending the agreement through June 30, 2027); Outside In School of Experiential Education; Children’s Home of Easton; Merakey; Open Door International; and Cornell Abraxas Group. Those contracts set per-diem and program rates for terms generally running July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and were approved on motions moved by Commissioner Barron Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Gary Hess (Padora, Hetherington, Hess—aye).

The board approved several additional vendor agreements, including Forensic Mind Solutions LLC for psychological and other counseling evaluations and services, an every-other-week secure document shredding contract with All-Shred, and an Avanco International contract for a Child Accounting and Profile System (with listed unit prices and hourly consulting rates). A contract with Alternative Consulting Enterprises for therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication management services also was approved. All passed unanimously.

In 911 communications business, commissioners approved a maintenance agreement with Greens Communications for the Eventide logging recorder ($25,355 for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026). Separately, the board authorized a Master Services Agreement with Computing Technologies, LLC (CTL) to implement a Northeast (NECORE) regional cybersecurity plan that has been approved and funded by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Schuylkill County will act as fiduciary and administrator for the project, which has a project amount of $1,428,460 and includes participating counties Carbon, Lackawanna, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne; the motion passed unanimously.

The board also approved an addendum increasing Compass Rose Care Ltd.’s personal care services funding by $108,000, bringing the fiscal-year 2025–2026 contract cap to $332,000.

On infrastructure and public works items, the commissioners approved Change Order #1 with Minichi, Inc. for an additional $17,378.50 to provide extra concrete for the rehabilitation of County Bridge 80 (Julia Street over Mahanoy Creek), bringing the contract total to $434,387.50. The board appointed Brad Ellison to the Sweet Arrow Lake and Frog Hollow Study Committee, replacing Julia Sophy.

The solicitor’s office presented and the board adopted a TEFRA resolution related to a financing request by the Lehigh County General Purpose Authority for Geisinger Health’s acquisition of membership interest in GSL Hospital (Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital, Orwigsburg) and for related emergency department expansion and a medical office building. The resolution notes the TEFRA approval is required for the financing notice and “does not represent any borrowing or financial commitment or responsibility of Schuylkill County.” The resolution referenced an estimated $94,000,000 of new-money financing for the project; the board approved the resolution unanimously.

Finance items included acceptance of the Treasurer’s April 2026 cash statements and approval of a supplemental budget appropriation resolution (2026-10) for $24,000 on behalf of Adult Probation/Parole (immediate approval requested). The board also approved two informational 2026 budget adjustments.

The board approved a contract addendum and payment schedule to PCORP Insurance Programs for property, auto and liability insurance for June 1, 2026–June 1, 2027 totaling $835,607, with payment installments noted in the contract addendum (40% due June 1, 2026; two 30% installments thereafter). The motion adopted unanimously.

During the public-comment period, Sheriff Shawn Butler introduced "Sarah," a new sheriff’s office canine for explosive detection and tracking; Deputy Sheriff Evan Lesher will take Sarah to 8–12 weeks of training. Public commenters raised concerns about tax assessment, the Sheriff’s Office and the Election Bureau, planning and zoning, and various county offices and campaigns.

The board tabled the Schuylkill County Responsible Infrastructure Development Plan at the request of Commissioner Larry Padora. Personnel actions approved included transferring Justin Lewis from part-time to full-time correction officer effective June 1, 2026, and appointing Tara Mistysyn to a Case Officer Aide position effective June 8, 2026 (both contingent on required testing and approvals). Meeting procedures concluded with the usual attestations and adjournment by Commissioner Padora.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (May 13, 2026 and May 21, 2026): Padora—aye; Hetherington—aye; Hess—aye (both motions adopted). - Children & Youth package (12 agreements and one addendum): Padora—aye; Hetherington—aye; Hess—aye (motion adopted). - NECORE Master Services Agreement (regional cybersecurity, $1,428,460): Padora—aye; Hetherington—aye; Hess—aye (motion adopted). - PCORP insurance addendum ($835,607): Padora—aye; Hetherington—aye; Hess—aye (motion adopted). - TEFRA resolution concerning Geisinger St. Luke’s financing (estimated $94,000,000): Padora—aye; Hetherington—aye; Hess—aye (motion adopted).

Next steps: Several contracts take effect on the dates specified in each agreement; NECORE will proceed under the terms approved and with Schuylkill County as fiduciary. The board had no further business and adjourned the session.