Commissioners approve $3.01 million in warrants; one commissioner abstains on workforce contract vote

Venango County commissioners on June 9 approved fiscal warrants totaling $3,006,381.07 and took action on workforce development contracts, with one commissioner abstaining from the latter vote.

Commissioner Timothy Heffernan moved to approve the warrants (Attachment D); Commissioner Kenneth J. Bryan seconded and the motion passed with all commissioners voting aye. The warrants package included a combination of non‑Human Services and Human Services warrants listed in the minutes totaling $3,006,381.07.

Under regional workforce business, Commissioner Bryan moved and Commissioner Samuel Breene seconded motions to approve contracts for EDSI (Title I/operator) and St. Benedict Education Center for EARN services through the Northwest Workforce Development Board. Commissioner Heffernan abstained from voting on that matter, citing a potential conflict of interest: the Innovation Institute for Tomorrow, an educational nonprofit with which he is affiliated, participates in workforce development programming funded through EDSI and Northwest PA JobConnect. The minutes record Heffernan’s abstention as an effort to avoid any appearance of a conflict.

The board also approved a broad set of personnel actions in Attachment E (hires, promotions, reclassifications, separations and rate adjustments) on a motion by Commissioner Bryan, seconded by Commissioner Heffernan, with all commissioners voting aye. The personnel list includes probationary and temporary hires, rehires, promotions and separations with effective dates noted in the minutes.

The minutes do not record additional debate or public comment on the warrants, workforce contracts or personnel actions.