Samantha Benway

The meeting commenced with procedural items, including a moment of silence and the pledge, followed by a section for public comments, which yielded no immediate input. Old business included the approval of the minutes from the February 18th, 2026 meeting. Key actions involved approving proclamations for Employee Appreciation Day (March 6, 2026) and Pennsylvania 4-H Week (March 15th through March 22nd, 2026). New business covered personnel matters, approving requests for additional hours in the sheriff's office and ratifying electronic financial transactions, with an amendment made to start dates for new hires. Further items included travel authorizations for several departments, execution of a Title 19 Medicaid grant agreement for Area Agency on Aging, submission of the Act 148 first quarter report by Children and Youth Services, approval of budget adjustments by the Commissioner's Office for various departments including the Sheriff's office and Emergency Management, approval for Safe Monroe to use the courthouse square for a rally, a professional agreement for parking area development, authorizing an RFP for continuity plans, and adding vendors to the approved list. The District Attorney's office ratified expenditure reports. Fiscal and Grants addressed the Pennsylvania Opioid Trust and authorized submissions for historical preservation and state food purchase programs. Budget modifications for the Emergency Solutions Grant and allocations for Community Service Block Grants (CSBG) were also approved. The Information Technology Services Office approved a prepaid services agreement for courtroom AV systems. The Planning Commission reappointed a member and acknowledged the receipt of their annual report. The Probation office executed a juvenile probation services grant agreement, and the Office of Emergency Management executed a memorandum for EMS certification classes. The Redevelopment Authority approved fund releases for a township project and a contract extension request. Finally, the capital purchase report for the sheriff's office regarding ballistic blast plates was approved. Miscellaneous discussions included a historical note regarding the granting of the Pennsylvania charter in 1681 and announcements regarding upcoming Independence Day parade applications and a concert.

The meeting included an Assessment Board session to approve corrections to the duplicate, resulting in total adjustments of $5,828,880.00. Key actions ratified during the regular session included approval for Sheriff's Office overtime requests, ratification of various electronic financial transactions such as vouchers payable and payroll, and approval of Purchase of Service Agreements for Children and Youth Services totaling substantial contract limits for residential treatment, group home, and secure detention programs. The Board approved a Budget Adjustment Report totaling $74,611.00, authorized payment from the hotel tax fund for a July 4th Celebration, ratified an Opioid Grant Memorandum of Understanding, nominated individuals to the NEPA Board of Directors, and authorized advertising for a rescheduled Board of Prison Inspectors meeting. Further approvals included executing a Statewide Interconnectivity Grant Agreement, approving an agreement with ADP for management reports, and ratifying a Range Rental Contract with Blue Ridge Cherry Valley Rod and Gun Club. Fiscal matters covered approving the 2025-2026 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant, approving the MATP 2nd quarter report, and authorizing electronic signatures for several grant contracts, including the Emergency Solutions Grant with detailed sub-recipient allocations. Information Technology actions included approving a five-year statement of work for CourtPro case management services and an amendment to a Technical Services Agreement with Zito Business. The Planning Commission actions involved approving changes to By-Laws and reappointing two members. The Probation Department executed a Master Services Agreement with GovAI Software Solutions LLC and ratified a Range Rental Contract.

The meeting addressed numerous personnel actions, including several new hires across departments such as Aging, Career Link, Courts, Public Defender, and Sheriff's office. Significant separations were processed due to resignations and retirements within various departments, including Aging, Correctional Facility, and Tax Collectors. Numerous changes to employment status were noted, involving extensions of leaves of absence (LOA), modifications of duty, anniversary step increases, and probation completions across departments like Aging, Assessment, Correctional Facility, and Sheriff's office. Additionally, the Commission adopted the revised Discipline policy, effective March 1, 2026.

The meeting included ratification of numerous financial transactions, such as Vouchers Payable, Gross Payroll, and Healthcare Benefit Payments for recent periods. The Commissioners approved a contract for senior center transportation and actions requested by Children and Youth Services, including the submittal of a Juvenile Probation Office report and executing subsidy agreements. Several budgetary and contractual actions were approved, including a Budget Adjustment Report, ratification of a Change Order with Lobar Construction Inc., payments from the hotel tax fund to Eastburg Community Alliance and Barrett Township Historical Society, acceptance of proposals for architectural services for a new Magisterial District Justice Office and for Bridge Inspection Evaluations. A Guaranty Agreement modification for Pocono Mountains Industrial Park Authority was executed, and an Opioid Grant for Housing Assistance through Path to Peace was approved. A contract amendment for copier and printer services with Fraser Advanced Information Systems was approved, and a maintenance agreement for victim notification services with the PA District Attorney Institute was ratified. The Probation department's service agreement extension and a test usage agreement were approved, along with the FY 2026 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Budget. Public comment included objections to gun safety grants in schools, questions regarding Monroe County being a pilot program for gun safety, and an announcement for the upcoming Winterfest event. The Pocono Chamber of Commerce reported on 2025 highlights.

The agenda for the meeting included Assessment Corrections to the Duplicate presented by the Chief Assessor. New business covered personnel matters, including approval of overtime reports for the Sheriff's Office. Electronic financial transactions requiring ratification included Vouchers Payable, Gross Payroll, and various Healthcare Benefits Payments and Flexible Spending Account transactions. The Commissioners also reviewed Travel Authorizations for Planning. For Children and Youth Services, several Purchase of Service Agreements for residential treatment, group home services, and secure detention programs were presented for approval, along with Adoption Assistance Agreements. The Commissioners' Office agenda included approving a Budget Adjustment Report, a request for a flag raising ceremony, payment authorization for the July 4th Celebration from hotel tax funds, ratification of an Opioid Grant Memorandum of Understanding for transportation assistance, nominations to the NEPA Board of Directors, and authorizing the advertisement of a rescheduled Board of Prison Inspectors meeting. New vendors were approved for Aging, Emergency Management, and the District Attorney's office. Other items included executing a 2025 Statewide Interconnectivity Grant Agreement, approving an agreement with ADP for management reports, ratifying a Range Rental Contract with Blue Ridge Cherry Valley Rod and Gun Club, approving and authorizing signatures for several grants (Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant, MATP 2nd quarter report, Mosquito-borne Disease Control Contract, Intermediate Punishment Contract), ratifying the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) contract, and approving ESG Sub-recipient allocations. Additional items involved approving a five-year statement of work with Paperless Solutions, Inc. for case management services, approving training agreements, amending a Technical Services Agreement with Zito Business, approving changes to the Planning Commission By-Laws, reappointing two members to the Planning Commission Board, and executing a Master Services Agreement with GovAI Software Solutions LLC for probation software services. Finally, the Capital Purchases Report was presented for approval. The meeting included a scheduled Salary Board meeting and Retirement Board meeting.