Bedford County public meetings in 2020

CM

The Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved all items on the agenda, including expenditures totaling over $1.9 million, several purchase of service agreements, and a CARES Act grant program amendment. The amendment increased the Round II CARES Small Business, Tourism, and Nonprofit Support Grant Program allocation from $531,506.02 to $567,117.85 to add an award to Downtown Bedford Inc. All motions were approved as presented.

• Approved expenditures including payroll, general, CYS, CDBG, CARES Act, commissary, and liquid fuels (all as presented)
• Approved Change of Assessment Notice Control Report changes for November 2020
• Approved Purchase of Service Agreements for Children & Youth Services with four providers (July 2020-June 2021)
• Approved Purchase of Service Agreement with Robert M. Mehalik, Ph.D. (January-June 2021)
• Reappointed Jay Cessna to Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission
• Approved Susquehanna Accounting & Consulting contract for grant cost preparation (2019-2022)
• Approved intergovernmental agreement with PA Department of Corrections
• Approved CARES grant program amendment increasing allocation to $567,117.85

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The Bedford County Salary Board approved wages for two personnel as recommended by their department heads. Brittany Diehl was approved as a Part-Time Sheriff Deputy at $13.50 per hour per union contract, effective December 28, 2020. Jessica Diehl was approved as a Full-Time Telecommunicator at $13.01 per hour, effective November 9, 2020. The meeting was called to order at 10:20 a.m. and adjourned at 10:21 a.m.

• Approved Brittany Diehl as Part-Time Sheriff Deputy at $13.50/hour per union contract, effective December 28, 2020
• Approved Jessica Diehl as Full-Time Telecommunicator at $13.01/hour, effective November 9, 2020
• Approved minutes of November 10, 2020 as presented

Retirement Board

The Bedford County Retirement Board reviewed the fund's third-quarter 2020 performance, noting a 5.81% return versus a 5.74% benchmark. The fund ended the quarter at $12,641,604, with no contributions or transfers. The board discussed manager performance, noting softness in AQR, Eaton Vance, and Conestoga, and agreed to review investment policy targets in Q1 2021.

• Reviewed Q3 2020 fund performance: 5.81% return vs 5.74% benchmark
• Noted fund ending market value of $12,641,604 as of Sept 30, 2020
• Discussed manager underperformance in AQR, Eaton Vance, and Conestoga
• Agreed to review investment policy targets in Q1 2021
• Adjourned meeting at 12PM with no other administrative items

SB

The Bedford County Salary Board approved wage rates for six new personnel as recommended by department heads. The hires include correctional officers, a clerk typist, and a deputy sheriff, with pay set per union contract or standard rate. The meeting was brief and procedural, with no old business discussed.

• Approved Randy Price as Correctional Officer at $11.50/hour per union contract, effective October 19, 2020
• Approved Courtney Lash as Correctional Officer at $11.50/hour per union contract, effective October 19, 2020
• Approved Cody Ritchey as Correctional Officer at $11.50/hour per union contract, effective October 12, 2020
• Approved Corrine Stockenus as Clerk Typist II at $8.82/hour, effective October 26, 2020
• Approved Keith A. McDaniel as Deputy Sheriff at $12.50/hour, effective November 16, 2020
• Approved Michael Servello as Correctional Officer at $11.50/hour per union contract, effective November 2, 2020
• Approved minutes of October 6, 2020 as presented
• Adjourned meeting at 10:23 a.m.

SB

The Bedford County Salary Board met on October 6, 2020, and approved the minutes from September 15, 2020. The board approved wages for two personnel as recommended by their department heads: Lori L. May at $12.00 per hour per union contract, effective September 23, 2020, and Holly Ward at $8.17 per hour, effective September 15, 2020. The meeting adjourned at 10:29 a.m.

• Approved minutes of September 15, 2020
• Approved wage of $12.00/hour for Lori L. May per union contract, effective September 23, 2020
• Approved wage of $8.17/hour for Holly Ward, effective September 15, 2020

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The board approved the FFY 2020 Community Development Block Grant application, which allocates $263,364 for Bedford County and $106,845 for Bedford Township, including $215,959 for the Hopewell Borough Wastewater Treatment Facility Replacement and $87,613 for the Bedford Township Homeownership Assistance Program. The board also adopted the Bedford County Three-Year Community Development Plan, approved the 2021 county holiday schedule, and approved two proclamations (Domestic Violence Awareness Month and National Business Women's Week). All motions were approved as presented.

• Approved FFY 2020 CDBG application (Resolution No. 10 06 20) for Bedford County and Bedford Township
• Adopted Bedford County Three-Year Community Development Plan of October 1, 2020
• Approved 2021 Bedford County Offices Holiday Schedule
• Approved Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation for October 2020
• Approved National Business Women's Week proclamation for October 18-24, 2020
• Approved Change of Assessment Notice Control Report changes for September 2020
• Approved personnel hires: Lori L. May (Correctional Officer) and Holly Ward (Clerk Typist I)
• Approved PY21 Workforce Grant Agreement and submission of 2023 Transportation Improvement Program projects

Prison Board Meeting

The Bedford County Prison Board approved the January 13, 2020 meeting minutes as presented. The warden reported on staffing, facility issues (including outdated video surveillance), and COVID-19 impacts on training, revenue, chapel services, and inspections. No substantive decisions were made; the Day Treatment/Day Reporting Center study is ongoing with stakeholder interviews scheduled.

• Approved January 13, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Retirement Meeting

The Bedford County Retirement Board met via Zoom and received an investment update from Cornerstone. No formal decisions, approvals, or votes were recorded during the meeting. The discussion focused on market performance, economic impacts, and maintaining perspective during the recession.

SB

The Bedford County Salary Board approved starting wages for five new employees, including correctional officers, a case aide, and an assistant district attorney, as recommended by department heads. The motion passed unanimously. No other substantive business was conducted.

• Approved $11.50/hr wage for Correctional Officer Russell Karns (union contract)
• Approved $17,643.60 salary for CYS Case Aide I Dana Stough
• Approved $11.50/hr wage for Correctional Officer Dakota Steele (union contract)
• Approved $11.50/hr wage for Correctional Officer Stephen T. Molovich (union contract)
• Approved $40,000 salary for Assistant District Attorney Deanne Paul

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The Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to apply for a $3,693,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant for bridge rehabilitation, and authorized submission of a CDBG-CV grant application for coronavirus relief. They also approved routine expenditures, personnel hires, and service agreements for Children & Youth Services.

• Approved $3,693,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant application for bridge rehabilitation (unanimous)
• Approved resolution to apply for CDBG-CV grant for Bedford County and Bedford Township (unanimous)
• Approved FFY 2020 CDBG application for Hopewell Borough wastewater treatment or Broad Top Township senior housing (unanimous)
• Approved Change of Assessment Notice Control Report for July 2020 (unanimous)
• Re-appointed Terry H. Stacey as Section 504 Officer (unanimous)
• Approved annual Fair Housing Resolution (unanimous)
• Approved Purchase of Service Agreements for Children & Youth Services (unanimous)
• Approved personnel hires including correctional officers and assistant DA (unanimous)

SB

The Bedford County Salary Board approved starting wages for six personnel as recommended by department heads, including positions in the Prothonotary's office, corrections, and emergency services. The motion passed unanimously. No other substantive business was conducted.

• Approved $10.00/hr wage for Deborah Ann Pilukaitis, Clerk Typist I, Prothonotary's office (effective July 6, 2020)
• Approved $11.50/hr wage for Ashley Slonaker, Correctional Officer, per union contract (effective June 24, 2020)
• Approved $11.50/hr wage for Wesley Davis Jr., Correctional Officer, per union contract (effective June 29, 2020)
• Approved $11.65/hr wage for Katarina Lynch, Telecommunicator Trainee (effective July 20, 2020)
• Approved $11.65/hr wage for Jacob Diehl, Telecommunicator Trainee (effective July 20, 2020)
• Approved $11.50/hr wage for Kelly R. Williams, Correctional Officer, per union contract (effective July 21, 2020)

CM

The Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved multiple expenditures, contracts, and resolutions, including a COVID-19 prevention resolution encouraging mask wearing and social distancing, and retained legal counsel for election-related lawsuits. They also approved personnel hires, a Human Services Block Grant application, and a proclamation for Vietnam Veterans Week.

• Approved expenditures totaling over $1.3 million including payroll and priority payments
• Approved Change of Assessment Notice Control Report for June 2020
• Approved Medical Assistance Transportation Program Grant Agreement
• Approved Purchase of Service Agreements for Children & Youth Services
• Approved Liquid Fuels funding for Southampton Township bridge inspections ($2,085.53)
• Approved Bedford County Longevity Policy effective August 3, 2020
• Approved legal counsel for election lawsuits (Trump for President vs. Bookvar, etc.)
• Approved COVID-19 prevention resolution and Vietnam Veterans Week proclamation

SB

The Bedford County Salary Board approved the hiring of six individuals across various departments, with salaries and start dates as recommended by department heads. The minutes from the April 7 and May 5 meetings were also approved. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved hiring Jessica A. Diehl as Telecommunicator Trainee at $11.65/hr, effective May 18, 2020
• Approved hiring Lacey Fleck as Full-time Correctional Officer at $11.50/hr, effective May 25, 2020
• Approved hiring Makayla Bollman as Director of Human Resources at $46,000/year, effective July 13, 2020
• Approved hiring Dakota Kelso as Caseworker I at $27,206.64/year, effective June 8, 2020
• Approved hiring Kaleb Mickle as Summer Maintenance employee (Liquid Fuels) at $8.00/hr, effective May 26, 2020
• Approved hiring Victor Faupel-Persons as Summer Maintenance employee (Liquid Fuels) at $8.00/hr, effective May 26, 2020
• Approved minutes from April 7, 2020 and May 5, 2020 meetings

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The Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution establishing the Bedford County C-PACE Program, a property assessed clean energy program administered by the Sustainable Energy Fund. The board also approved multiple service agreements, including contracts for Children & Youth Services, a courthouse security assessment, and a CDBG-CV grant application for COVID-19 assistance. All motions were approved unanimously.

• Approved Resolution No. 6-16-2020 establishing the Bedford County C-PACE clean energy program
• Approved $2,096,599.42 in expenditures including payroll and priority payments
• Approved Purchase of Service Agreements for Children & Youth Services (17 contractors)
• Approved Liquid Fuels bridge inspection payments totaling $5,022.21 for three townships
• Approved contract with Centre County for legal representation at mental health hearings
• Approved agreement with Sorensen, Wilder & Associates for courthouse security assessment
• Approved application for FFY 2020 CDBG-CV funds for COVID-19 assistance
• Approved county ownership of Saxton 9-1-1 Communications tower from In the Stix Broadband

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The Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved a series of routine expenditures and new business items, including contracts for 911 services, housing rehabilitation, and a feasibility study. They also approved a proclamation for Child Welfare Professionals Appreciation Week and tabled the parking garage bid announcement until the next meeting. No substantive policy decisions were made beyond these approvals.

• Approved payroll and other expenditures totaling over $1.4 million
• Approved Purchase of Service Agreement with Children's Home of Pittsburgh and Independent Family Services
• Approved Liquid Fuels funding for bridge inspections in three townships
• Approved Shared Services and Technology Agreement with Fulton County for 911
• Approved Stiffler & McGraw to conduct feasibility study for Day Reporting and Day Treatment Center
• Approved Subrecipient Agreements with Center for Community Action for housing rehabilitation projects
• Approved Student Loan Assistance Reimbursement Incentive Program
• Tabled parking garage bid announcement until next meeting

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The Bedford County Board of Commissioners ratified the March 16, 2020 Declaration of Disaster Emergency related to COVID-19. The board also approved multiple proclamations, expenditures, personnel hires, and a vehicle purchase. All motions were approved unanimously.

• Ratified Bedford County Declaration of Disaster Emergency dated March 16, 2020
• Approved expenditures totaling $1,191,439.13 across payroll, priority, commissary, LEPC, and CDBG accounts
• Approved purchase of 2020 Jeep Cherokee from Tri-Star Motors for $23,073.72
• Approved personnel hires: Brittany Norris (correctional officer), Tina Hostetler and Kristin Frye (telecommunicator trainees)
• Adopted revised CDBG Citizen Participation Plan of April 7, 2020
• Approved Everett Free Library Keystone Grant resolution (Commissioner Lang abstained)
• Approved proclamations for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, and Equal Pay Day
• Approved corrections to March 10 meeting minutes for Liquid Fuels and Priority accounts

Retirement Meeting

The Bedford County Retirement Board met via Zoom to review investment performance and market conditions. No formal decisions or votes were taken; the meeting was informational, with updates from Cornerstone advisors on market impacts and portfolio positioning.

• No formal decisions or votes were recorded

Election Meeting

The Board of Elections met to review new procedures under Act 77 for the 2020 election, including extended voter registration deadlines, new mail-in ballot options, and absentee ballot rules. No formal votes were taken; the meeting was informational and procedural.

• Reviewed Act 77 changes for 2020 election (no vote)
• Noted voter registration deadline extended to April 13, 2020 (no vote)
• Discussed new mail-in ballot process open to all voters (no vote)
• Reviewed absentee ballot requirements for disability or absence (no vote)
• Noted petition deadline of February 18, 2020 (no vote)
• Discussed new voting equipment arrival and training plans (no vote)

CM

The Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing 2020 as a year of commemoration for the 19th Amendment. They also approved expenditures totaling $733,238.55, including payroll and various departmental costs. The board selected P. Joseph Lehman Engineers as the county's qualified engineering consulting firm and made several personnel appointments and promotions.

• Approved expenditures totaling $733,238.55 (payroll, general priority, general non-priority, commissary, LEPC)
• Approved proclamation for 19th Amendment Centennial Commemoration
• Ranked and selected P. Joseph Lehman Engineers as qualified engineering consulting firm
• Appointed Barbara Himmler as Judicial Secretary for the 57th Judicial District
• Appointed Pamela Snyder as full-time Clerk Typist I at Magisterial District Justice Kathy Calhoun's office
• Approved employment and transfer of Noah J Datillo to Prothonotary's Office and 1st Deputy Civil Division
• Hired Krystal Miller as full-time Clerk Typist I
• Approved Purchase of Service Agreement with Rene Chamberlain for Incredible Years Program

SB

The Bedford County Salary Board approved hourly wages for full-time and part-time deputy sheriffs, effective January 14, 2020, as recommended by the Sheriff. The meeting was brief and procedural, with no old business discussed.

• Approved $11.20/hour for full-time deputy sheriffs Tanner Coughenour, Christopher Tirpak, and Logan Tewell (motion by Cottle, second by Dallara)
• Approved $11.20/hour for part-time deputy sheriff Steven S. Kagarise (motion by Dallara, second by Baughman)
• Approved $11.70/hour for part-time deputy sheriff Steven Roudabush, Jr. (motion by Dallara, second by Baughman)

CM

The Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved routine expenditures totaling $528,369.92, including general priority and non-priority items. They also approved several administrative actions, including a change order and final pay estimate for the Cessna Heights sewer/water project, new deputy sheriff appointments, and a resolution designating July 18, 2020 as Captain Phillips' Rangers Massacre Day. No substantive policy decisions were made beyond these approvals.

• Approved general priority expenditures of $244,924.99
• Approved general non-priority expenditures of $283,444.93
• Approved Change of Assessment Notice Control Report for January 2020
• Approved Purchase of Service Agreements with Community Specialists Corp. and Summit School for Children & Youth Services
• Approved Change Order #2019-1-1 Final for Cessna Heights sewer/water project, reducing contract by $24,823.70 to $242,426.30
• Approved Pay Estimate No. 2 – Final of $33,899.15 for Cessna Heights project
• Approved 3 full-time and 2 part-time deputy sheriff appointments
• Approved resolution designating July 18, 2020 as Captain Phillips' Rangers Massacre Day

PRISON BOARD MEETING

The Bedford County Prison Board reorganized, electing Lesley Childers-Potts as chair and Wayne E. Emerick Jr. as vice-chair. The board approved a motion to request a developmental proposal for a new food vendor due to increased food costs, and approved the December 19, 2019 minutes with one abstention. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Elected Lesley Childers-Potts as chair (approved)
• Elected Wayne E. Emerick Jr. as vice-chair (approved)
• Approved motion to request developmental proposal for food vendor (approved)
• Approved December 19, 2019 minutes (approved; Baughman abstained)

SB

The Bedford County Salary Board approved four new hourly pay rates for county positions, all effective January 6, 2020, except one effective January 13, 2020. The board also approved the minutes from the December 17, 2019 meeting. No old business was reported.

• Approved $11.22/hr for Brian Way as 1st Deputy Criminal, Prothonotary's department, effective Jan 6, 2020
• Approved $18.00/hr for Mark Miller as Chief Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff's department, effective Jan 6, 2020
• Approved $17.50/hr for Karen Waybright as 9-1-1 Coordinator/Supervisor, Emergency Services, effective Jan 6, 2020
• Approved $11.65/hr for Robin Bugle as Telecommunicator Trainee, 9-1-1 Center, effective Jan 13, 2020
• Approved minutes of December 17, 2019 Salary Board meeting

CM

The Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved a $1.995 million tax and revenue anticipation note from First National Bank at 1.77% interest, due December 31, 2020. They also approved routine expenditures, reappointed Debra Brown as Chief Clerk and Dean Crabtree as Solicitor, and made several appointments and hires. All motions were approved unanimously.

• Approved $1,995,000 tax and revenue anticipation note at 1.77% interest (unanimous)
• Approved expenditures totaling $661,393.60 (unanimous)
• Reappointed Debra Brown as Chief Clerk (unanimous)
• Reappointed Dean Crabtree as Solicitor (unanimous)
• Approved hires: Brian Way (1st Deputy Criminal), Mark Miller (Chief Deputy Sheriff), Karen Waybright (9-1-1 Coordinator), Robin Bugle (Telecommunicator Trainee) (unanimous)
• Approved $30,000 liquid fuels tax fund encumbrance for Bridge #7 repairs (unanimous)
• Approved CDBG amendment adding $170,325 for Hyndman Borough waterline project (unanimous)
• Approved dental care agreement for inmates with Kyle Dumpert DMD (unanimous)