John Blickley

The board approved several key items, including the sale of repository bids, the purchase of a new Cisco Firepower firewall appliance to improve internet bandwidth for remote work, and a boundary survey contract for an agricultural conservation easement. Multiple contracts and amendments were authorized for senior and personal care services, drug and alcohol programs, and child support operations. Financial actions included approving grant applications for coronavirus funding and radiation emergency response, as well as budget adjustments and supplemental appropriations across various departments. Additionally, the board approved several CDBG project contracts and revisions, authorized bidding for bridge rehabilitation, and ratified various designee-approved contracts and personnel changes, including promotions and transfers.

The Salary Board Work Session focused on personnel actions, specifically reviewing requested wage increases for two Correction Officers, Ryan Nettles and Thomas Hostetter, as stipulated by the Teamsters union contract. Public comments were also heard concerning current wage levels and the absence of prior executive sessions for salary discussions.

The board addressed several administrative and operational items, including the approval of a parking space rental agreement with the Pottsville Parking Authority for county employees. Key actions included authorizing a purchase of service agreement for legal services, approving a contract addendum for software upgrades, and making a reappointment to the Children and Youth Advisory Board. The board also approved a grant application to the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts to offset costs associated with court compliance requirements. Additionally, the session covered changes to polling locations, the review of the February Treasurer's report, a budget adjustment for the Sheriff's Office equipment purchase, and various personnel actions including reclassifications, promotions, and appointments.

The board meeting addressed various administrative and operational items, including the reappointment of members to advisory boards and approval of contracts for drug and alcohol prevention services. Extensive hiring actions for election workers, drivers, and sub-contractors were approved in preparation for the primary election, along with changes to polling sites. The board authorized multiple demolition contracts, cooperation agreements with local townships, and budget revisions for community development programs. Additionally, the meeting covered contract addendums for senior transportation services, an online auction services agreement for tax delinquent properties, technology hosting agreements, and land development improvement agreements for local park and property projects.

The Salary Board Work Session addressed several personnel actions requiring approval. Key items included setting the salary for a new Assessment Program Technician in the Tax Assessment department, effective May 10, 2021. Approval was also requested and granted for the promotion of an individual to Legal Assistant Supervisor within the Children & Youth department, effective May 3, 2021. Furthermore, the board approved setting the salary for a Per Diem Deputy Coroner, effective May 10, 2021. The District Attorney's Office requested and received approval to create a temporary Per Diem Clerk position for 12 weeks, effective May 24, 2021, and subsequently approved setting the hourly rate for the hired individual.