Michael P. Buchanan

The meeting commenced with a report confirming that no executive sessions were held. Public comments were provided regarding Children and Youth services. The Board reviewed and approved the Controller's Report for November 2025, which detailed retirements, pro rata payments, and refunds for various members, alongside the total market value of the retirement fund managed by various fund managers as of November 30, 2025. The total market value as of the morning of the meeting was also noted. Specific requests addressed included a request for vesting from Laura Davenport and a request for a buy-back of non-intervening military service from Robert Yutko. No new business was brought before the board.

The Commissioners' Meeting agenda included approval of advertising for foster parent recruitment with a monthly cost of $1,450. A significant portion was dedicated to approving numerous FY 2025-2026 contract addenda for Drug & Alcohol services, including increasing caps for Eagleville Hospital and Co-County Wellness, and approving several new fee-for-service contracts with various entities like Advanced Treatment Systems, Clearbrook Treatment Centers, and Firetree Limited. Approvals were also sought for cost-reimbursed contracts, such as those with the Center for Community Resources, Inc. and Pennsylvania Counseling Services, Inc. Other items involved the approval of the SFY 2025-2026 Hazardous Materials Response Fund (HMRF) Grant Agreement, modifications to 2022 and 2023 CDBG Programs involving fund reallocations, and authorization to advertise for a demolition project. Furthermore, approvals included an Administrative Entity Operating Agreement for MH/DS programs, a Memorandum of Understanding for an LTSR program across 24 counties, the purchase of SentinelOne Complete software, and the Treasurer's Report for December 2025. The Solicitor's Office presented a TEFRA resolution concerning tax-exempt financing for an agricultural land acquisition. The Agricultural Land Preservation Board saw several reappointments and one new appointment. Finally, there was information only regarding prior year budget adjustments.

The Commissioners' Work Session agenda included several key items requiring approval. For Adult Probation, approval was sought for a one-year agreement with Joseph Sheris, Ph.D., to provide psychological testing for Adult Probation Officers, at a cost of $350 per evaluation. The Coroner's Office required approval for contracts for autopsy services with Dr. Wayne Ross and the Dauphin County Forensic Center, covering the period January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. In Domestic Relations, approval was requested for Melissa Hayes to attend a training conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with all expenses covered by the Domestic Relations Incentives Fund. The Election Bureau sought immediate approval for name changes for Port Carbon's 2nd polling site and a temporary polling site change in Shenandoah due to renovations. Engineering items focused on grant applications to PennDOT for the Keystone Boulevard Roadway Rehabilitation and Safety Improvement Project ($1,126,264 estimated total) and the replacement of County Bridge 6 in Barry Township ($2,529,162 estimated total), both requiring immediate approval and associated resolutions. The agenda also covered approval to advertise for a demolition project in Minersville, an agreement with AHEAD, Inc. for 911 Communications licensing support, a contract with EBA Engineering for a County Resilience Hub, advertising for bids for cleaning and solid waste pickup for Public Works buildings, and various actions in Tax Assessment including personnel appointments and reappointments to Appeals Boards. The Finance Office presented budget adjustments for prior years and sought approval for several Supplemental Budget Appropriation Resolutions for both prior and current years.

The Work Session Meeting involved numerous contractual and administrative approvals. Key actions included the approval of a contract with Psychological Associates of Schuylkill County, LLC for counseling services, an agreement for the purchase of an agricultural conservation easement, and the certification of county funds for the 2026 agricultural easement program. Several demolition contracts were awarded to Dudash Pipeline Company, Inc. and Arthur "Pat" Aungst, Inc., along with approvals for a change order and an addendum related to grant-funded projects. Eleven cooperation agreements were approved concerning various demolition and Americans with Disabilities Act projects across several boroughs and townships. Approval was sought and granted for a significant 9-1-1 Statewide Interconnectivity Grant agreement. A contract for county tax assessment system maintenance was approved with an increased rate. The session included several requests for budgetary authority adjustments across various departments (Human Resources, 911 Communications, Juvenile Justice, Solicitor, County Administration, MIS, Planning, Courts, and Children & Youth), alongside approvals for supplemental budget appropriations for the prior and current years. The County Administrator's designee-approved contracts for December 2025 were ratified, and reappointments were approved for board members of the HighRidge Improvement District Authority, Schuylkill County Industrial Development Authority, Schuylkill County Airport Authority, and the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority. Renewals and details regarding employee benefit plans and endorsements for the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs' Association executive and advisory boards were also processed. Finally, personnel actions including a promotion in the District Attorney's office and a promotion and two appointments in the Prothonotary's office were reviewed. New business focused on announcing the kickoff event for the 250th Anniversary of America celebration scheduled for January 18, 2026.

The meeting involved several key agenda items and actions. Discussions included public comments on various county matters and a presentation by the outgoing Nittany Lions' Mascot. Actions taken included approving lease agreements for Adult Probation parking spaces, approving contract modifications and a new contract for Drug & Alcohol services, approving two agreements for 911 Communications software and support, and handling several items under Planning & Zoning, such as approving an ESRI maintenance payment, a contract for Zoning Officer Services, a Land Development Improvement Agreement for the Kurtz Solar Project, and the reappointment of a member to the Zoning Hearing Board. In Liquid Fuels, engineering service contracts for two county bridges and an encumbrance for a bridge replacement were approved. Several modifications and contracts under the Grant Writer's Office were approved, including modifications to the 2024 Community Development Block Grant Program and several engineering service contracts related to ADA projects and park improvements. An agreement for counseling services for Children & Youth was approved, and the Treasurer's Report for November 2025 was accepted. The Finance Office reported several budget adjustments across various departments and approved two supplemental budget appropriation resolutions. Personnel actions included new appointments for Children & Youth, one termination in the Election Bureau, and several appointments, transfers, and promotions within Court Administration, District Justice, Domestic Relations, and the Sheriff's Office. New business included approving the advertisement for demolition projects and an addendum to extend a contract for indexing old deeds in the Recorder of Deeds office. Finally, eight repository sales for tax claims were approved.