Commissioners approve payroll, personnel changes, and several contracts including Polycom support and blighted-property MOU

The Lycoming County commissioners voted on a package of routine administrative and budget items at their Feb. 5 meeting, approving invoices, personnel changes, contract renewals and an intergovernmental agreement on a blighted property.

The commissioners approved invoices totaling $512,012.95 to be paid on Feb. 4, 2026, with 66.81% charged to the general fund, 5.67% to RMS and 27.53% to escrow. The salary board minutes from the prior meeting were approved.

On personnel, the board approved the district attorney's request to add a part-time central processing officer to the DA's office to handle increased fingerprinting demand; Thomas Almgard, identified in the meeting as chief county detective, said the role would allow evening and possible Saturday hours and would be funded by Act 81 with reimbursement to the county. Commissioners recorded a 5-0 voice vote on that item.

Commissioners approved several other personnel moves presented by the salary board, including conditional employment offers in facilities management and the pre-release center and various position deletions and consolidations in Planning and Community Development and EMS/EMA (merging two positions into a grant-funded emergency management administrative coordinator).

On contracts, the board approved a renewal with Keeser Consulting Group for Polycom support ($6,900) and a cybersecurity service with CCAP ($9,500), both budgeted for 2026. The commission also approved an engagement letter with Jareo Agency for a $5,000 appraisal of property next to the transfer station, and amended a contract with Advanced Communication Solutions to lock labor rates for prison camera-system services if outside help is required.

The commissioners also approved an intergovernmental agreement and memorandum of understanding with the Williamsport Redevelopment Authority, the City of Williamsport and the Williamsport Area School District to address a blighted property; under the terms discussed, the property would be under Redevelopment Authority control and would be tax-exempt while redevelopment work proceeds.

Other routine items approved included annual classified and legal advertising with the Sun Gazette and the appointment of Shannon Barnes as chief clerk, effective Feb. 5, 2026, and as program administrator for the PCAR program, with Heather Lehman named as second administrator.

Votes on consent and personnel items were recorded by voice as "aye" on multiple motions; when a roll call or specific tally was given, the DA-office position was recorded as 5-0. No controversial objections to the consent items were sustained during the meeting.