Blair County commissioners on Dec. 4 approved a slate of routine business items including ratification of warrants, payroll and multiple contracts and grant actions.

The board ratified 15 warrants and total payroll for the Nov. 28, 2025 paycheck in the amount of $965,198.46, and approved budget transfers to cover pre-employment background-check fees. Commissioners also approved multiple appointments and reappointments to the Fort Roberdeau Association Board, Agricultural Land Preservation Board, hospital authority, library systems board and social services advisory board with terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

On contracts and grants, the board approved:

- An addendum (Exhibit A) to the multijurisdiction agreement with RBA Professional Data Services for regional computer-aided dispatch (CAD) support for 08/01/2025–08/31/2026 in the fixed fee amount of $40,257.04.

- Authorization to submit a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) continuing adult probation/parole grant application for fiscal year 2025–2026 in the amount of $190,794.

- Approval to submit an Intermediate Punishment, Probation and Restrictive Conditions grant application (Grama number 47,615) to PCCD for $315,000 covering 07/01/2025–06/30/2026.

- A memorandum of understanding with the Pennsylvania Counties Health Insurance Cooperative (PCHIP) to set aside $724,125 of county reserves to fund 90% of the county’s maximum premium rate for its self‑insured medical plan in 2026. County staff explained the cooperative is a risk pool that provides actuarial support and a buffer for bad claims years: “We are a self insured medical plan,” a staff presenter said, describing the pool’s purchasing power.

- Seven Human Services Block Grant–funded contract renewals for the 2025–2026 year: Skills of Central PA ($300,000), Pierstar ($15,000), Child Advocates ($65,000), NAMI ($90,000), HOPE Drop-In ($100,000), UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside/UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital ($1,300,000) and UPMC Western Behavioral Health of the Alleghenies ($2,200,000). Staff said these renewals are grant-funded and not paid from the county’s general fund, though a small county match may apply for some items.

- A quote from Leatherman Construction LLC for $7,890 to clear trees and construct a stone retaining wall to support an ADA-compliant observation platform at the Lead Mine exhibit, funded by a Richard Suter donation.

- Payment of an ePaymentNow invoice for $5,575 for printing and mailing 2026 dog license renewal notices.

Commissioners also approved an amendment to the county’s Grama software subscription to implement Vision Government Solutions’ DataScout web solution at no cost to the county, and authorized a reciprocal agreement with Westmoreland County for a Blair County resident discharged from Torrance State Hospital (Westmoreland to assume responsibility after up to one year); Tricia Johnson, director of Blair County Department of Social Services, was authorized to sign that agreement.

Most items were approved by voice vote with few comments; one commissioner recorded abstentions from payments to Holidaysburg Borough, Julia Burke, Blair Senior Services and Blair Health Choices. The board adjourned and scheduled its next meeting for Dec. 11 at 10 a.m.