Abby Buchner

The meeting commenced with a discussion following a recent ceremony. The session was adjusted to start at 10:30 a.m. from the initially scheduled time to allow attendees to be present for the new sheriff's swearing-in ceremony at 10:00 a.m. Following a brief public comment period, the commissioners recessed to conduct salary board business. Key actions included approving the salary board minutes from December 18, 2025, approving the 2026 compensation numbers and salary schedule, and approving the 2026 Table of Distribution and Authorization (TDA). Additions to the TDA included an assistant public defender position in the public defender office and the addition of a temporary part-time administrative specialist position in DPS to facilitate training for a replacement due to a retirement. The DPS position handles significant revenue reporting. Additionally, temporary part-time positions for an electrician and a way master at RMS were added due to retirements. The commissioners reconvened to the public meeting, where thanks were extended to an employee returning from retirement to assist with training.

The meeting commenced with the election of officers, resulting in nominations for chair, vice chair, and secretary, which were subsequently approved. Key discussions included the approval of previous minutes, expenditure reports, and personnel actions involving the release of two officers. Population reports for December indicated an average daily population of 238.39 males and 30.74 females, showing a significant increase from the previous year. The disciplinary report detailed 48 hearings resulting in findings of guilt. A detailed mental health snapshot from January 6, 2026, showed that 35.27% of the inmate population had current mental health issues, and the percentage of inmates receiving psychotropic medication was 56.5% at the prison. Re-entry reports covered statistics for APO/pre-trial, GPS alcohol monitoring, and juvenile services. A significant portion of the meeting addressed an inmate escape from the pre-release center in December, detailing the collaborative apprehension efforts involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Discussions also touched upon the high cost of certain medications and the lack of current mental health group programs.

The meeting commenced with a public prayer recognizing the upcoming birthday of the National Guard and extending blessings for the Christmas and Hanukkah seasons. Following the pledge, commissioners addressed recent health updates for members of the Baxter and Wolf families. Key agenda items included the approval of previous meeting minutes, public comments, and bid openings for janitorial services for the employee health and wellness center, which received eight bids. The commissioners ratified invoices totaling over $1.35 million. Informational items covered vacancies on the Lycoming County Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board. An update was provided on the Waiter Golf Course, reporting record rounds of over 64,800 for the season, leading to record revenue, and the presentation of a check for $165,260 to the county, which covers an additional cart payment and funding back to the county due to strong management. During the subsequent salary board recess, actions included approving salary board minutes from December 4, 2025, and approving several personnel and structure changes in various offices, such as adding a Criminal Processing Clerk position in the Prothonotary's office to address $40 million in uncollected fines, adjusting positions in Adult Probation, and adding a state-funded Regional Field Coordinator position.

The meeting included recognition and honoring of several employees from RMS for heroic actions in two separate incidents: the first involving the prompt extinguishment of a fire started by a ruptured lithium battery on November 28th, potentially saving a 60,000 square foot building; and the second involving staff providing aid and comfort to a garbage hauler injured on December 22nd. The Commissioners approved several financial and personnel actions, including the rejection of bids for janitorial services to bring them in-house for a significant savings, approval of two personnel changes in the Treasurer's office, and conditional offers for multiple new positions across various departments, including Public Safety. The board also approved the 2026 Actuarially Determined Employer Contribution (ADC) to the employees retirement fund, contracts for Forensic Pathology Associates and Health Networks Laboratories for autopsy and toxicology services, an agreement with National Medical Services Incorporated for forensic laboratory services for the District Attorney's office, amendments to agreements with Geo Re-Entry Services LLC and Don Spely (Zoning Hearing Board stenographer), and approvals for subrecipient monitoring agreements related to homeless assistance and child welfare services funding. Furthermore, the board approved grant awards for NG 911 GIS maintenance and hazardous material response planning, a business rental preferred rate agreement with Penra LLC for the county fleet, and the second liquid fuels application for a pipe replacement in Watson Township. Finally, approval was sought for a $54,000 agreement with Pearson Computing Connections to upgrade the AS400 system.

The meeting commenced with an invocation, focusing on guidance for county decisions and reflection at year-end. A special citation recognized Sheriff Mark Lusk for over 50 years of dedicated service in various roles within the Lycoming County community, including law enforcement, fire service, and emergency management, coinciding with his well-deserved retirement. The agenda was updated to include an item for the DA Office regarding the assignment of special county detectives for roving DUI patrols. The Sheriff provided an extensive overview of his tenure, emphasizing the department's mission of personal safety, the rigor of security measures at the courthouse, and expressing gratitude to staff, commissioners, and mentors who supported him.