Venango County public meetings in 2024
15 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Venango County Economic Development Authority
The Venango County Economic Development Authority will consider an employment contract, approve the 2025 meeting schedule, and discuss a non-profit proposal from Friends of the Makerspace. The board will also review financials and receive an update on the ongoing project at 100 Seneca at Cornplanter Square. No dollar amounts or specific decisions are recorded in the agenda.
- Employment contract consideration
- 2025 meeting schedule adoption
- Package D - CO 005 (likely a loan or grant package)
- Friends of the Makerspace non-profit proposal
- Update on 100 Seneca at Cornplanter Square project
Salary Board
The Venango County Salary Board approved minutes from November 12, 2024, then approved a series of position abolitions, creations, and reallocations across multiple departments, mostly effective January 1, 2025. The board also approved a memorandum detailing the 2025 compensation plan. No public comments were offered.
- Abolished 2 Maintenance Worker IV positions (Dept. #160) and 1 Department Clerk II position (Treasurer's Office) effective 1/1/2025
- Abolished 2 Court Recording Monitor/Transcriptionist positions and created 1 Administrative Assistant position (Courts, effective 4/1/2025)
- Abolished 3 Corrections Officer, 2 Corrections Monitor, 2 Correctional Nurse, and 2 Correctional Intern positions (Prison)
- Reallocated a Deputy Sheriff – Corporal position to Deputy Sheriff (full-time) effective 1/1/2025
- Approved Salary Board memo detailing the 2025 Compensation Plan
Election Board
The Venango County Election Board approved the certification of the 2024 General Election and received a post-election update. The mandatory 2% recount audit of 609 ballots from four precincts found a 100% match with election day results. Voter registration stands at 33,350 in the county. The board also reviewed the official 2025 election important dates.
- Certification of 2024 General Election results approved on 11/25/2024
- 2% recount audit counted 609 ballots from Allegheny Township, Barkeyville Borough, Clintonville Borough, and Utica Borough; 100% match to election day results
- Statewide US Senate recount (11/18-11/20/2024) was cancelled before board certification
- Voter registration statistics: 33,350 registered voters in Venango County
- Annual mail-in and absentee ballot mailing to begin early January 2025
Retirement Board
The Venango County Retirement Board approved the entry of five employees into the retirement fund and the withdrawal of contributions plus interest for 14 former employees. The board also vested pensions for two employees who missed filing deadlines and withdrew funds for six others who failed to submit withdrawal documents. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned in one minute.
- Five new fund entrants: Eve Murphy (9% effective 10/28/2024), Kyle Sanders (9% effective 11/10/2024), Matthew Decker (9% effective 11/12/2024), Nathan McDonough (9% effective 11/12/2024), Katie Drake (10% effective 11/18/2024)
- 14 withdrawals totaling $58,584.32, including largest: Ariel Lindstrom $14,359.65, Lisa Cielepak $11,070.59, and Christine Divido $10,019.64
- Kathleen Stephens vested pension effective 11/19/2024
- John Lackatos and Henry Gent vested automatically due to missed filing deadlines
- Ariel Lindstrom, Shawn Pierce, Katee Snedden, Nicholas Felix, Kristen Griffith, Zachary Williams, and Liam McElhattan had funds withdrawn due to failure to file proper paperwork
Commissioner Board
The Venango County Commissioners will consider and likely approve the 2025 final budget and a tax rate resolution, ratify UPMC health insurance and Vision Benefits contracts for 2025, and vote on several service contracts including a $15,000 amendment for hazard mitigation planning, a regional computer-aided dispatch agreement pending grant award, and a change order for airport work. They will also act on pension board items such as new enrollments and withdrawals, and salary board changes abolishing multiple positions while creating one.
- Approval of 2025 Final Budget and Tax Rate Resolution (24-11)
- Ratification of UPMC Health Plan Contract for 2025 and Vision Benefits of America Contract for 2025-2026
- Amendment to Agreement with Michael Baker International for $15,000 for Hazardous Mitigation Planning Grant
- Approval of Contracts with Motorola and Mission Critical Partners for Regional Computer Aided Dispatch for 2025 Pending Grant Award
- Approval of Change Order no. 5 for airport contract adding seven properties and sixty work days
Commissioner Board
The Venango County Commissioners approved the 2025 final budget with a 2-1 vote, approved the 2025 tax rate resolution, and certified the county's taxable assessed value at over $2 billion. The board also approved contracts for regional computer-aided dispatch, hazard mitigation planning, foster care and therapy services, and multiple personnel actions including five new corrections officers.
- Approved 2025 final budget (Commissioner Breene dissented) and tax rate resolution (24-11)
- Approved contracts with Motorola and Mission Critical Partners for regional computer-aided dispatch pending grant award
- Approved amendment to Michael Baker International contract ($15,000) for hazard mitigation planning
- Approved new contracts for foster care (Bethany Christian Services) and therapy (Next Step Therapy) with per-unit rates
- Approved personnel actions: 5 new corrections officers, rehires, promotions, and rate adjustments for multiple county employees
Venango County Economic Development Authority
The Venango County Economic Development Authority will consider ratification of several contracts, including a cleaning contract and change order, and review financial reports. The board will also discuss timelines for the 100 Seneca at Cornplanter Square project. Public comment periods are scheduled for agenda items and general matters.
- Ratification of Goodwill Cleaning Contract
- Ratification of Package D Change Order 004
- FY 24-25 PREP Contract and Engage Contract
- Ark Ultra Commissioning Proposal
- 100 Seneca at Cornplanter Square fundraising and construction timelines
Planning Commission Board
The Venango County Planning Commission will consider several subdivision and land development items, including a potential waiver for a subdivision in Rockland Township and proposals for Two Cousins Pizza and Christian Life Academy in Cranberry Township. The board also plans to discuss establishing a Bylaws Committee. Public comments on agenda items will be heard before deliberations.
- Carole Wilson – Oil City subdivision application
- Potential waiver for subdivision – Rockland Township
- Two Cousins Pizza Extension – Cranberry Township
- Christian Life Academy – Cranberry Township
- Establishing a Bylaws Committee
Election Board
The Venango County Election Board approved the September 10 meeting minutes and received an update from the Voter Registrar on election preparation, including poll worker training, mail-in/absentee ballot processing, and completion of logic and accuracy testing. During public comment, a request was made to hand-count all returns or at least the Presidential race; the board agreed to conduct the required 2% audit as a hand count, with the possibility of expansion if needed.
- Approval of the September 10, 2024 meeting minutes
- Update on election preparation: poll worker training, mail-in/absentee ballot mailing, and in-person on-demand mail voting
- Logic and Accuracy (L&A) testing of machines completed September 24-26
- Public comment: Jeff Lehman requested hand-counting for the election; board agreed to hand-count the 2% audit
- Statistics on current registration and mail-in/absentee ballot applications presented
Retirement Board
The Retirement Board processed the entry of three employees into the retirement system and approved several contribution withdrawals. The board also decided on the superannuation retirement terms for two individuals.
- Approved superannuation retirement for Krystal Knox with a $112,984.70 lump sum and $1,332.37 monthly annuity
- Approved superannuation retirement for Sandra J. Whitcomb with a $289.74 monthly annuity
- Approved contribution withdrawals for 12 individuals, including a $13,333.20 payment to Dustin McKenzie
- Added Jessica Avery, Karissa Fahndrich, and April Bradick to the Retirement Fund System at 9%
Commissioner Board
The Venango County Commissioners will meet on November 12, 2024, to consider a preliminary budget presentation, multiple airport contracts, and significant personnel changes in child welfare. The agenda also includes separate Election, Retirement, and Salary Board meetings with their own items. Public comment periods are scheduled for each board.
- Preliminary budget presentation for FY 2025
- Approval of contract with TranSystems Corporation for engineering services on Runway 3-21 rehabilitation and lighting
- Approval of lease agreement with Robert and Andrew Eakin for hangar 12-04 at the airport
- Creation of 2 CPS/GPS Investigation Supervisor, 11 CPS/GPS Investigator, and 1 Intake Program Director positions in Children & Youth Services
- Ratification of Burn Ban Resolution and Right of Way Agreement with National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation
Commissioner Board
The Board of Commissioners will present a preliminary budget and consider various contracts for juvenile therapy, airport runway rehabilitation, and human services. The meeting also includes sessions for the Election, Retirement, and Salary Boards to handle personnel and pension matters.
- Contract with National Curriculum & Training Institute for juvenile Crossroads Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Engineering contracts with TranSystems Corporation Consultants for Runway 3-21 and lighting rehabilitation
- Human Services contracts including Alfrery Pediatric Physical Therapy and Counseling and Assessment Services, LLC
- Right of Way Agreement with National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation for pipeline maintenance
- Retirement board approval of a $112,984.70 withdrawal for Krystal Knox
Venango County Economic Development Authority
The Venango County Economic Development Authority will discuss pricing for co-working and conference rentals. The body will consider resolutions for Main Street Matters grants and a change order for Package D. Members will also review timelines for fundraising and construction at 100 Seneca at Cornplanter Square.
- Pricing schedule for co-working and conference rental
- Resolution to file Main Street Matters District Development Grants
- Resolution to file Main Street Matters Planning Grant
- Package D Change Order 003
- Fundraising and construction timelines for 100 Seneca at Cornplanter Square
Venango County Economic Development Authority
The authority will review special purpose matters including equipment and contract amendments. The meeting also includes updates on the 100 Seneca at Cornplanter Square project timelines.
- Package C CO-004
- Makerspace Manager Position
- Engage FY23-24 Contract Amendment
- Venango Chamber Lease
- 100 Seneca at Cornplanter Square timelines
Planning Commission Board
The commission will discuss subdivision and land development for the Rossbacher Insurance Addition in Cranberry Township. The agenda also includes a discussion regarding a proposed DCNR letter.
- Rossbacher Insurance Addition, Cranberry Township
- Proposed DCNR Letter
- Approval of March 19, 2024, meeting minutes