Elk County Board of Elections Agenda (Military Official Count) – November 12, 2026
The Elk County Board of Elections was scheduled to meet Nov. 12, 2026, for a military official count and consideration of any remaining military or provisional ballots. The listed business also included discussion of election issues, if any had occurred.
Discussion Points
•The board was scheduled to discuss election issues, if any had occurred.
Elk County Commissioners met Nov. 5, 2026. Topics included a proclamation for Parents as Teachers Day, an update from the Elk County Healthcare Authority on plans for a Health & Wellness Center and maternity services, approval of a $100,000 FAIR homeless-prevention award administered by Northern Tier Community Action Corporation, several contract approvals (probation vehicle, sheriff equipment), trail and planning agreements, and election administration updates.
Discussion Points
•A congressional appropriation was reduced to $3 million in reconciliation; project terms require county ownership of the facility.
•Ankle bands and glove devices intended for transport and court security; in-house trainer certification planned.
•Authority attended 60+ regional meetings and is pursuing multiple funding and partnership paths.
•Axon devices have 5-year support lifecycle; out-of-support devices create litigation risk.
•Costs can be up to $650/day for some placements; county share is 40%.
•County control improves funding eligibility and maintenance planning.
•Courtney reported program evaluation scores and recent service increases.
•Feasibility study identified corridor; KN Forest is largest landowner; other agreements still needed.
•MOU required to formalize administrative roles.
•Multiple vendor quotes evaluated; Utilitech local vendor provides required equipment.
•Pilot of electronic poll books and student poll-worker program successes and plans to expand.
•Purpose and eligibility of FAIR funds and partnership with Northern Tier were explained.
•Summit used for adjudicated juveniles; securing beds statewide is challenging due to larger counties' purchasing power.
•Turnout and mail-in/absentee return rates; pending provisional and overseas ballots.
•Vehicle needed due to increased supervision road time and restored staffing.
Decisions
•Agreement approved; next steps include outreach and funding applications.
•Contract and equipment purchases approved.
•Contract renewal approved.
•Purchase approved.
•Resolution 2026-08-08 approved; MOU approved.
Directions
•Proceed with MOU execution and program setup under FAIR rules.
•Staff to continue financing and design work; pursue USDA and other loan/grant avenues.
•Staff to finalize easement and seek additional agreements/funding.
Elk County Commissioners Meeting – November 5, 2026
The Elk County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to consider a $100,000 PHARE homeless-prevention partnership, multiple law-enforcement and probation equipment and vehicle purchases totaling roughly $109,700, several contracts and renewals including a youth-placement contract with variable costs, and a slate of board reappointments at its Nov. 5, 2026 meeting in the Thomas G. Wagner Conference Room at the courthouse annex.
Discussion Points
•Agenda line provides party names but no project cost or maintenance-funding details.
•A Memorandum of Understanding is proposed to establish an Elk County Housing Partnership and formalize roles.
•CEDS item requests immediate acceptance of a resignation and appointment to fill a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.
•CYS seeks contract renewal with The Summit Academy for institutional placement covering July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027.
•Multiple reappointments with explicit term dates are on the agenda spanning Conservation District, Healthcare Authority, CEDS, Planning Commission and Redevelopment Authority.
•Packet states costs may increase up to 5% and Elk County's share is 40%.
•Planning requests permission to partner with NTCAC to pursue a PHARE homeless prevention grant for $100,000.
•Probation requests a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV purchase for $61,081.92 to be paid from Supervision Fund fees.
•Sheriff requests a five-year Axon contract for 11 TASER 10 kits for $40,011.19 and two nonlethal devices (G.L.O.V.E. $3,062.75; EBR $5,557.75) listed as 2027 budgeted expenses.
•Western Pennsylvania Conservancy proposes a trail construction and maintenance agreement with KN Forest Conservation LLC tied to a conservation easement for the Clarion Little Toby Creek Trail Extension.
Elk County Board of Elections Agenda (Official Count) – November 3, 2026
The Elk County Board of Elections agenda listed post-election items including an official count, a Statistical 2% Count, and provisional ballot determinations for its Nov. 6, 2026 meeting at the Elk County Courthouse Annex.
Discussion Points
•A line to discuss Election Day issues "If any of occurred."
•Official count listed as an agenda item.
•Provisional ballot determinations listed as an agenda item.
Retirement board voted to recommend that the county commissioners approve a contract with GRS for online pension-administration software that includes a $14,000 one-time setup fee and $15,500 annual fees; the board discussed security, active-user access, data-transfer timing and CPI-U indexing before approving the recommendation.
Discussion Points
•Active employees will have rolling online access; inactive/former employees will continue to request final statements via county staff unless the county opts to provide logins for them.
•Final official estimates will require county review and sign-off.
•Need to provide notice to existing TPA and perform initial data transfer.
•Security and MFA questions remain and vendor will provide follow-up details.
•System intended primarily for active employees; final official estimates will be produced by county staff after review.
•Whether CPI‑U indexing is appropriate for county contract increases.
•Whether payroll feeds will be pushed via a secure vendor network or transmitted by county staff.
•Which MFA methods the vendor will use and details on password-reset flows.
Decisions
•Board voted to recommend the contract to the Board of Commissioners.
Directions
•County staff to coordinate secure payroll feed setup and timing of initial data transfer from current TPA.
•County staff to coordinate with fiscal office to determine secure feed configuration.
•County staff to determine whether to extend login access to inactive members as a customization cost/benefit.
•GRS to provide follow-up on CPI index options and MFA details to county staff.
•GRS to provide written follow-up on CPI options, MFA options and secure transfer method.
Elk County Special Retirement Board – October 27, 2026
The Elk County Retirement Board met Oct. 27, 2026, to consider recommending a contract with GRS for online pension-administration software that would require a $14,000 one-time setup payment and $15,500 in annual fees, to be paid from the Retirement Plan and said to produce about $6,000 in annual savings.
Discussion Points
•Claim that software would eliminate separate plan administrator and yield $6,000 in annual savings.
Elk County Board of Commissioners met for a regular session that included a retirement recognition for Fox Township Fire Chief Scott Surra, proclamations for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, approval of CDBG and FAIR funding submissions, multiple contract ratifications and renewals (including emergency repairs), and several municipal funding adjustments and routine approvals.
Discussion Points
•Commissioners asked for updates and thanked staff.
•Commissioners emphasized PennDOT approval is required before county release of funds.
•Commissioners emphasized the length of Surra's service (over 31 years) and the role of spouses and employers in enabling volunteer service.
•Commissioners expressed appreciation and approved the contracts.
•Dippel highlighted program successes and the year's theme; Tammy Anderson was introduced as an employed participant.
•Maintenance described severe pipe deterioration and roof damage; installation choices (plastic piping) were explained.
•McClellan described eligibility (homeowners 62+ and permanently disabled residents) and purpose (accessibility modifications, rehab, health and safety concerns).
•Program descriptions: art-based trauma therapy and parent education; county share estimated at ~10% and ~5%.
•Rescission due to unpaid prior approvals; new request consolidates 2025 and 2026 projects.
•Taylor listed project names and dollar amounts and confirmed public hearings and lack of comments.
Decisions
•Both contracts approved.
•Citation to be presented and photographed after the meeting.
•Proclamation adopted; presentation and photos to follow.
•Ratify repipe contract and approve water rental and roof repair contracts.
•Rescissions and revised $14,500 request approved.
•Resolution approved; submission authorized.
•Resolution approved to request $100,000.
Directions
•Maintenance to monitor and report back after repairs.
•Staff to complete paperwork to request FAIR funds.
•Staff to finalize contracts and proceed with program year beginning July 1, 2026.
•Staff to submit revised request to PennDOT and hold funds until approval.
•Submit the application to the state following the meeting.
The Elk County Board of Commissioners met October 15, 2026 and approved a series of routine resolutions and contracts, including a $53,589 CDBG request, PHARE/Act 137 funding for home repairs, multiple service contracts, and revisions to Liquid Fuel Funds for Ridgway Borough.
Discussion Points
•Becki Taylor described project list and dollar amounts for the FY 2026 application.
•Commissioners authorized Northern Tier Community Action to administer the program on the county's behalf.
•Commissioners rescinded unpaid prior approvals and approved a combined request per PennDOT guidance.
•CYS requested approval for two CAPSEA contracts and provided dollar amounts and county share percentages.
•Facilities requested authorizaton for roof repairs at prison; vendor and price recorded.
•Kathy McClelland described the proposed $100,000 allocation for repairs or handicap upgrades.
•Maintenance presented the emergency repair request for re-piping the annex crawl space.
•Prison requested the rental agreement and noted payment source.
•Ridgway Holiday Display Committee requested lawn use for decorations during the holiday season.
•Veterans Affairs requested approval for specific burial counts.
Decisions
•Approved $5,000 service contract with Tremco.
•Approved both contracts in a single motion.
•Approved emergency contract ratification.
•Approved grant agreement; amount not specified in minutes.
•Approved Resolution 2026-06 to submit the CDBG application.
Elk County commissioners heard three public presentations — a state game warden on outreach and tick risks, a regional EMS workforce study and a food‑pantry update — and approved multiple routine contracts and maintenance expenditures, including HVAC controls and a jail fire‑alarm upgrade.
Discussion Points
•Chair/readers explained background and funding sources (Act 13 mini grants, COVID funds) for several items.
•CPA RFP announced with Oct. 30, 2026 deadline.
•He warned about deer ticks and the potential arrival of lone star ticks as winters warm.
Elk County Salary Board met Nov. 3, 2026, ratified a jail IT pay-grade change, approved several updated job descriptions (including deputy recorder positions and a jail nurse), and recorded a memorandum of understanding clarifying the origin and compensation of a senior sergeant position.
Discussion Points
•Approval of updated job descriptions for multiple county positions
•Confirmations from acting register and staff that content is acceptable
•Creation and signing of an MOU to memorialize the position and compensation
•History and formalization of senior sergeant position (created 2013) and lack of union notice
•History of the senior sergeant post and its omission from the collective bargaining agreement
•Need to modernize long-standing job descriptions (some 20+ years old)
•Need to update job description after personnel movement
•No dollar figures provided for pay change
•Payroll change already implemented; board asked to ratify rather than authorize
•Ratification of an IT technician pay-grade change already processed in payroll
Decisions
•Agenda approved by voice vote
•Meeting adjourned
•Minutes approved by voice vote
•MOU recorded for the senior sergeant position (for the record)
•Pay-grade change for jail IT technician ratified
•Ratification approved by voice vote
•Updated job descriptions approved
•Updated job descriptions approved by voice vote
Directions
•File the MOU with meeting minutes
•File updated job descriptions for county records
•HR to update official personnel records to match payroll
•Human Resources and the register's office to file updated descriptions
•Ratify the payroll change for Steven Sunderland
•Record MOU for senior sergeant position in minutes
Elk County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 1, 2026 in Ridgway. The board approved several contracts and renewals including a TEFAP amendment, a multi-year maintenance agreement for the EMS building, a $207,600 courthouse heat-pump controller contract, a $17,213.11 prison fire-alarm contract, renewal of a juvenile detention contract, and two banner requests; press questions clarified contract timing and adjustments.
Discussion Points
•Press asked whether adjustments had been applied previously; Chief Clerk Straub said they had not been adjusted within the last five years.
•Press asked whether repairs were planned or an emergency; Chief Clerk Straub characterized the work as a recommended priority to prevent emergency failure.
Decisions
•Amendment ratified by unanimous vote
•Banner requests approved with dates recorded.
•Contract approved; staff to implement procurement/installation per contract.
•Contract approved; vendor is COSTARS-approved
•Contract renewal approved; county share recorded as 50%
•Maintenance agreement approved with recorded annual adjustment terms.
The Elk County Board of Commissioners met Sept. 17, 2026, approved a series of contracts and grant awards including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recommendations totaling $178,632 in county-eligible projects, authorized several vendor contracts (generator maintenance, compensation consultant), approved child-youth services contract renewals, and awarded Act 13 mini-grants. The meeting opened at 10:00 AM and adjourned at 10:30 AM.
Discussion Points
•Awards announced as attached list; totals recorded in minutes.
•Becki Taylor presented project recommendations and funding amounts.
•Board approved renewals unanimously.
•Board approved unanimously.
•Chamber requested courthouse lawn use for festival.
•Commissioners approved the allocations without amendment.
•Commissioners approved the maintenance contract by unanimous vote.
•Commissioners requested compensation consulting services and approved vendor and amount.
•CYS presented renewal requests and county share percentages by program.
•Maintenance requested the agreement and provided term and rate.
•Minutes do not include scope or deliverables.
•One vote taken separately due to conflict/ membership.
Decisions
•Act 13 award list approved; City Rec Board award approved with one abstention.
•Approvals recorded for recommended awards.
•Approve agreement.
•Approve contract.
•Approve lawn use.
•Renewal approvals recorded.
Directions
•Maintenance to execute contract and schedule maintenance.
•Organizers to coordinate logistics with county staff.
Elk County Commissioners Meeting September 3, 2026
Elk County commissioners heard a series of department updates and approved a slate of routine contracts, grant ratifications and intergovernmental agreements, including a $103,041.03 election-integrity grant and multiple renewals; several local service groups requested continued county support.
Discussion Points
•Agreement spells out sheriff duties for domestic relations, including warrant service and security.
•Airport asked to raise county allotment from $10,000 to $12,000 due to rising costs (audits, insurance, stormwater).
•Airport described fuel revenue (~10% of operating revenue) and non-regular fuel usage by medical/border-patrol aircraft.
•Amount decreased slightly due to voter-population formula.
•Commissioners voted to approve compliance paperwork.
•Food bank described distribution numbers ("a little over 9,000 boxes") and volunteer support (over 100 volunteers).
•Grant used for staff, ballot printing, security and equipment.
•Item was assurance of compliance, not the allocation letter containing mandated contribution numbers.
•Lease formalizes longstanding equipment placement on private tower and allows fire department to accumulate funds for maintenance.
•Lease term is 63 months and includes equipment swap options every 48 months.
•Payment sourced from 9-1-1 funds (state-derived) rather than general county taxes.
•Peterson emphasized confidentiality protections for records.
•Printer lease supports mapping (11x17 and larger) and will replace a separate fax machine.
•Representative requested a written appropriation for the budget process; commissioners asked staff to include it in materials.
Decisions
•Agreement renewal approved by voice vote.
•Commissioners accepted the request for budget consideration (no appropriation made at the meeting).
•Commissioners ratified the grant by voice vote.
•Lease approved by voice vote.
•MATP assurance of compliance approved.
•Printer lease approved by voice vote.
Directions
•County Finance to consider the request in upcoming budget packet.
•County staff to file assurance and add allocation letter when received.
•County staff to finalize contract and record payment mechanism.
•Submit written appropriation request to the county for budget inclusion.
Elk County salary board approved a paid internship contract for a Ridgeway Area School senior and approved a job description for a part‑time district attorney intern during a routine meeting that included introductions and procedural votes; both items passed by voice vote. The board set the next meeting for 2026-10-01.
Discussion Points
•Agenda approved by voice vote.
•Board approved internship contract and job description; members discussed publicity and inviting the intern to a meeting.
•Board members asked about eligibility, schedule, and confidentiality; DA said student is a senior with credits complete and attends mornings before returning to school.
•Chair presented job description prepared by HR with cooperation from Straub.
•DA and commissioners indicated no recommended changes.
•DA intends to expand program countywide by reaching out to guidance counselors at area schools.
•Rowe proposed a paid internship for a Ridgeway senior at $14/hr for 2.5 hours/day, funded by Act 13.
Decisions
•Agenda approval; internship contract and job description approved by voice vote; meeting adjourned.
•Job description approved by voice vote.
•Motion to approve internship contract passed by voice vote.
Directions
•HR to finalize posting and coordinate with DA's office for hiring.
•Invite intern to a future meeting for recognition.
•Invite the intern to a future meeting for recognition.
•Publicize internship opportunity to area high schools.
•Publicize the internship opportunity to area high schools.
The Elk County Salary Board met Sept. 3, 2026 in Ridgway and approved a paid internship contract for a Ridgway Area School District student funded through Act 13 and adopted a job description for a part‑time District Attorney intern. The board also approved the meeting agenda and adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Discussion Points
•Beau Grove explained the internship terms and funding source (Act 13) and stated it is intended to be ongoing and open to students from area schools.
•No press or taxpayer comments were recorded.
Decisions
•Agenda approved; meeting adjourned; next meeting scheduled for Oct. 1, 2026.
Elk County Board of Commissioners met Sept. 3, 2026 in Ridgway. Commissioners approved a series of contracts and renewals — including an Election Integrity Grant contract for $103,041.03, a tower lease funded by 911 funds, grant renewals for transportation services, and several local allocations — and heard updates from the Christian Food Bank and the St. Marys Municipal Airport Authority.
Discussion Points
•Agreement term and parties defined in minutes.
•Amount and project location recorded; procedural approval granted.
•Area Transportation Authority is the County of Elk provider under the MATP grant.
•Contract amount recorded as $103,041.03; Elections Director present.
•Counts for burials and headstones recorded; no dollar amounts provided.
•Food bank provided update on weekly distribution; airport requested increased appropriation for next year.
•Lease term and monthly rate specified in minutes.
•Lease term, annual rate, and funding source (911 funds) were specified.
•Minutes do not record dollar amount for airport request.
Decisions
•Approval of intergovernmental agreement
•Approval of MATP renewal
•Approval of printer lease
•Approval of tower lease
•Approval of veteran burial allocations
•Approve allocation to Ridgway Borough
•Ratification of the Election Integrity Grant Program contract
Elk County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on 2026-08-06 that included an Elk County Fair update, approval of an MOU with Northern Tier Community Action for an 18‑month FAIR fund housing program, several prison service contracts (methadone and mobile imaging), IT and facility contract renewals, and multiple children and social‑service contract renewals.
Discussion Points
•Assignment transfers responsibilities for West Creek Wetland Learning Center
•Capital needs: lighting and a roof project submitted to Department of Agriculture
•Consolidation of three items into single motion
•Contract amount $7,140 for the renewal period
•Contract is methadone‑specific; medication will be delivered weekly and administered on site
Elk County Prison Board reviewed the warden's report on population and staffing, discussed potential juvenile housing contracts with other counties, recommended a methadone delivery contract with Clearfield Comprehensive Treatment Center, approved a replacement diagnostic mobile X-ray contract, and voted to add an executive session at the end of new business.
Discussion Points
•A vacant sergeant position remains; interviews scheduled
•Board scheduled an executive session on legal matters at the end of new business
•Contract fee: $17.85/day ($125/week) cited
•Contract term: 1 year with automatic renewal
•Contract would be limited to methadone; other medications not included
•Deployment of 70 tablets in late May
•High course-completion hours for some inmates
•Lawrence County proposal for juvenile males (rate discussed)
•Motions to approve minutes, adopt agenda with executive session, and approve bills were moved and seconded
•New vendor from Erie will serve on an as-needed basis at higher rates
•Opioid settlement funds could reimburse cost
•Population counts and monthly averages were presented
•Prior vendor planned to drop facility due to low usage (12–15 times/year)
•Recent hires, promotions and resignations were detailed
•Reporting and schooling obligations placed on receiving facility
•Revenue timing unclear; statements come months later
•Transport and counsel access concerns for juveniles
Decisions
•Board recommended approval to commissioners
•Contract approved by voice vote
•No final contract approved; item to be returned for consideration
Elk County Board of Commissioners met August 6, 2026 and approved multiple contracts and renewals, including a $100,000 PHARE grant application MOU, prison healthcare contracts, CYS program renewals, and several procurement decisions; commissioners also received an update on Elk County Fair plans.
Discussion Points
•Event planning and costs for the Elk County Fair; larger fireworks for America's 250th
•New contract limited to methadone services; rate $125 per patient per week
•Planning Department requested MOU to apply for PHARE funding for $100,000
Decisions
•Contract approved
•MOU approved to seek PHARE funds
Directions
•Planning Department to coordinate application with Northern Tier Community Action
Elk County Retirement Board reviewed fund performance and actuarial items, approved an investment-manager recommendation to shift a large-cap value sleeve from a mutual fund to an ETF, formalized several administrative pension processes (termination distributions and final-average-salary methodology), and authorized staff to explore online pension-administration software with a target implementation window of January 2027.
Discussion Points
•County interprets FAS as highest three calendar years or rolling last 78 pays; choice cannot be hybridized.
•Motion limited to vendor exploration; funding source is unresolved and will be decided later by commissioners and board.
•Staff will estimate balances before departure, send certified mail, and authorize custodian to issue checks; county code provides no interest after termination.
•Straub described software benefits and preliminary cost figures; members raised funding questions.
•Straub explained mutual fund vs ETF mechanics and cited lower fees and intra‑day trading as benefits.
•Straub presented fund balance, six‑month return, funded ratio and ADC figures.
Decisions
•Motion approved by voice vote.
•Motion approved to explore vendors; no expenditure authorized.
•Motion to approve recommendation passed by voice vote.
•Process and forms approved by voice vote.
Directions
•Implement new process and forms; enter into official record.
•Memorialize method in minutes and procedures.
•Staff to gather vendor proposals and provide cost breakdowns and funding options.
•Staff to implement the change and document it in the record.
