SMETHPORT —The McKean County Commissioners voted Tuesday to enter an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for $311,887 in Community Development Block Grant funds.
The McKean County Redevelopment Authority administers this funding. Authority personnel determine which projects are eligible for funding and send a list of recommendations to the commissioners for approval.
The commissioners also adopted a resolution that revises the 2016 block grant. According to the resolution, the county’s 2016 block grant allocation includes $20,000 for a Bradford Township Spot Demolition Program and $60,000 for a Bradford Township Housing Rehabilitation Program, while the 2016 Housing Rehab Program is in need for additional funding.
Meanwhile, it has been determined that it would be in the best interest of the township to reduce the $20,000 Spot Demolition Program to $10,000 and increase the $60,000 Housing Rehabilitation program to $70,000. Bradford Township officials have already expressed their approval with this change in use of funds.
Now with the commissioners’ authorization, the county plans to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for $176,422 in grant funding for the Intermediate Punishment Treatment Program.
In another approved resolution, the county is now authorized to enter into a renewed professional services and software contract with Evaluator Services and Technology for the Tax Assessment Department, which will be effective from June 1, 2018 to August 1, 2019. The total cost is $149,215. Angie Tennies, chief assessor, said, “This is a 2019 Windows-based software program that replaces a 2004 system.”
Under the terms of a related resolution, the county will also renew a software license maintenance and department support agreement also with the Evaluator Services and Technology for the tax assessment department. According to the commissioners, the company will bill the county for license maintenance and support on the legacy CAMA/Tax Administration software or for the 2019 EST CAMA/Tax Administration software.
The county accepted quotes from Axon Enterprise Inc. for purchasing tasers and equipment and cartridges for the tasers for the McKean County Jail over five years. The total costs for the tasers and equipment are $3,900, while the cartridges will cost $3,840.
Commissioners adopted a proclamation marking May as Foster Care Month in the county. Department of Human Services personnel, Lisa Johnston, foster care and adoption program specialist, and Marcy Flickinger, foster care and adoption supervisor, attended the meeting for the signing of the proclamation.
In a personnel matter, commissioners reappointed Ronald Keim to a four-year term on the McKean County Planning Commission.
Also at the meeting, a person identified as a “concerned resident” lauded the agencies that were responsible for the recent cleanup of the area at Larabee Y. This person also questioned about recourse available to the county for dealing with abandoned homes.
In response, Commissioner Cliff Lane, who conducted the meeting in the absence of Chairman Al Pingie, noted that state law allows municipalities to enact local ordinances dealing with this problem. Additionally, Lane said, “Since 2010, the county has had a Blight Task Force and a Blight Review Committee that holds quarterly meetings.”
Lastly, the resident mentioned concerns about the bridge closing in Ceres Township.
Lane said, “This is a (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) project and not a county issue.”
