[0:00] Okay.
[0:02] Thank you.
[0:04] » 7:00 we'll call them
[0:06] and drive to the planet way.
[0:12] » Please join me in prayer and the pledge.
[0:15] Dear God, we thank you for the
[0:17] opportunity to meet today.
[0:20] We thank you for Bedford County and
[0:22] those who serve it
[0:24] and for all the organizations,
[0:26] businesses,
[0:28] families, and individuals that make this
[0:30] county a wonderful place to live.
[0:34] Guide us today as we make decisions,
[0:37] share information, recognize endeavors,
[0:41] and with grateful hearts we pray. Amen.
[0:45] » Amen.
[0:48] » And join me in the pledge.
[0:50] I pledge allegiance
[0:52] » To the flag of the United States of
[0:54] America. And to the republic for which
[0:57] it stands, one nation
[0:59] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[1:02] justice for all.
[1:04] » Thank you.
[1:08] » Do roll call.
[1:11] President himself, Mr. House,
[1:13] Commissioner Wake,
[1:14] Commissioner Botner, and David Keith.
[1:17] Um I have nothing to hear public
[1:20] comments.
[1:21] So I'm going to move on to table the
[1:23] July 14th
[1:25] » Yes, I'm sorry. I have public comment.
[1:27] Yes, I'm sorry. Hi, my name is Riley
[1:29] O'Tyre from the
[1:30] US Small Business Administration in the
[1:32] Office of Disaster Recovery. We are
[1:35] currently responding to the severe
[1:37] flooding event in Blair County from July
[1:40] 5th and 6th. Uh Bedford is one of our
[1:43] contiguous counties. Small businesses
[1:45] and nonprofits are eligible for what's
[1:48] known as an economic injury disaster
[1:50] loan or idle loan. Um some of you might
[1:52] be familiar with it during COVID. Um but
[1:55] But a low interest long-term rate for
[1:56] any small businesses who have seen a
[1:59] loss of revenue because of the disaster.
[2:01] So, our deadline for the idle program is
[2:04] March 27th, 2027. I'm sorry, March 23rd,
[2:07] 2027. Um so, for any small business that
[2:11] might be having a tough year, this is a
[2:12] great program to take advantage of. So,
[2:14] I hope that, you know, the stakeholders
[2:16] in this community can message that out
[2:18] to their networks and we can try to find
[2:20] [clears throat] someone that might be in
[2:21] need.
[2:22] So, if you have information, you can be
[2:23] at
[2:42] Thank you.
[2:42] » Thank you.
[2:43] » Assistant.
[2:44] » Okay.
[2:45] We'll move on to the approval of minutes
[2:46] for July 14th, 2026.
[2:49] » So moved.
[2:51] » I'll second.
[2:53] » Motion and second. Ready to take the
[2:54] roll call on this.
[2:56] Hearing none, all those in favor?
[2:58] » I.
[2:59] » I.
[3:04] » Was your your I was in favor, correct?
[3:08] » Yes.
[3:10] I approve.
[3:11] » That [clears throat] motion is passed.
[3:13] We're going to go to expenditures and
[3:14] our top 10 expenditures for the for the
[3:17] month.
[3:20] » Our top 10 expenditures for the month
[3:22] totaled
[3:23] $333,412.70.
[3:28] Our largest expenditure was University
[3:30] Health Health Health Network.
[3:32] $210,404.70.
[3:36] And accounted for 63% of the 1% of the
[3:39] top 10 spending. The remaining
[3:41] expenses totaled $123,000
[3:44] $70.37.
[3:49] The expenses were legal services,
[3:51] Cameron Grant. $30,210.12.
[3:56] Legal services residential care
[3:59] Ronald Brackins, he got the contract in
[4:00] the original was $48,876.40.
[4:05] County programs for the US USFS Board of
[4:08] County Commissioners
[4:09] was $16,751.86.
[4:14] Security services, she is locked in
[4:15] security LLC was
[4:17] $9,603.50.
[4:21] Technology and IT services, CDG
[4:24] Development, $6,669.58.
[4:29] Administrative services, because I sent
[4:31] them
[4:32] mail uh
[4:33] $7,500.
[4:36] It's always maintenance and RGB building
[4:38] services
[4:40] was $3,396.35.
[4:47] » Thank you. I would like to say that if
[4:49] you came with Durant at $30,000, that
[4:52] was for multiple months. That wasn't one
[4:53] month. It was multiple months that that
[4:55] came through at that time.
[5:00] Do I have a motion to approve?
[5:03] Approved.
[5:05] » I'll second.
[5:07] » Having a person second, any additional
[5:09] comments?
[5:11] Hearing none, all those in favor?
[5:13] I.
[5:15] » I.
[5:17] » Opposed?
[5:18] That motion will carry.
[5:20] I have nothing under old business, so
[5:23] I'll move on to county staff updates,
[5:24] warrants and bids, which I also have
[5:26] nothing there.
[5:27] So, I'll go straight to new business. I
[5:29] have a motion to act on the change
[5:31] assessment and noise control for the
[5:32] month of July 2026 based on the
[5:35] recommendation of Paul Abbott, director
[5:37] of tax assessment.
[5:40] So, I will move.
[5:41] » Second.
[5:43] » Having a person second, any additional
[5:45] comments?
[5:47] Hearing none, all those in favor?
[5:49] » Aye.
[5:49] » I.
[5:50] » Aye.
[5:51] » Opposed?
[5:53] Motion will carry.
[5:55] A motion to act on the purchase of
[5:57] service agreement between Bedford County
[5:59] Children and Youth Services and the
[6:00] following for the period July 1st, 2026
[6:03] ending on June 30th, 2027 inclusive.
[6:06] This is based on the recommendation of
[6:08] Christopher Bresco, administrator of
[6:09] Bedford County Children and Youth
[6:11] Services.
[6:12] It's Horizon
[6:14] Behavioral Health Policy,
[6:16] Youth Advocate Advocate Programs and
[6:18] Inc., Dennis Williamson, co-parenting
[6:20] programs and male, Anthony Zernoning,
[6:23] Esquire,
[6:24] guardian ad litem and guardian ad litem
[6:28] litem for the children and general
[6:30] counsel, federal legal counsel and
[6:32] consultant, Daniel Sullivan, Esquire,
[6:35] backup county
[6:36] backup agencies.
[6:39] Who would you like to have speak today?
[6:44] » So moved.
[6:45] » I'll second.
[6:47] » Having a first and a second, are there
[6:48] any additional comments?
[6:51] Hearing none, all those in favor?
[6:54] » Aye.
[6:56] » Opposed?
[6:59] That motion will carry.
[7:02] A motion to act on the purchase
[7:05] Excuse me, a motion to act on the
[7:06] purchase of service agreement between
[7:08] between Bedford County Children and
[7:10] Youth Services and Bedford County
[7:11] Juvenile Probation Office for the
[7:13] following period July 1st, 2026
[7:16] through June 30th, 2027 inclusive. Based
[7:20] upon the recommendation of Christopher
[7:21] Bresco, administrator of Bedford County
[7:24] Children and Youth Services,
[7:25] for now Abstract Group LLC, Children's
[7:28] Aid Home Programs of Somerset County
[7:30] Inc.,
[7:32] Marrakech Pennsylvania, Open and Faith
[7:34] Solutions, Presley Ridge Independent
[7:36] Family Services.
[7:39] » So moved.
[7:41] » Second.
[7:43] » Having a first and a second, do I have
[7:45] any additional comments?
[7:48] Hearing none, all those in favor
[7:50] say I.
[7:51] » I.
[7:53] » Opposed?
[7:54] That motion will carry.
[7:57] Next, we have a motion to act on the
[7:59] purchase of service agreement between
[8:00] Bedford County Children Youth Services
[8:03] in the following through period of July
[8:04] 1st, 2026 ending June 30th, 2027
[8:09] inclusive. This is based upon the
[8:11] recommendation of Christopher Gressko,
[8:13] administrator of the Bedford County
[8:15] Children Youth Services. It's Kimberly
[8:17] Ann April in Incredible Years in
[8:19] Bedford,
[8:20] and this program lead facilitator of
[8:22] Fisher Town, PA.
[8:24] Natalie Glass in Incredible Years in
[8:26] Strengthening Families Program lead
[8:27] facilitator of Bedford, PA. Heather Dawn
[8:30] Slagle in Incredible Years in
[8:31] Strengthening Families Program lead
[8:33] facilitator of Everett, PA. And I failed
[8:35] to tell you that this was something that
[8:38] was carried over from our previous
[8:40] meeting.
[8:43] » Thank you for clarifying. So moved.
[8:47] » Okay. Having a first and a second, all
[8:49] those in favor
[8:51] say I.
[8:52] » I.
[8:53] » Opposed?
[8:55] That motion will carry.
[8:59] » Uh uh just a quick comment um
[9:02] on these contracts, one of the things
[9:03] that was added to the contract was an
[9:05] addendum which really defines the
[9:07] service contract uh what it looks like.
[9:10] And it adds some more on the
[9:11] specificities of what uh the program
[9:13] actually is, what's going on with the
[9:15] program, how many sessions are, how many
[9:17] weeks there are, how many sessions that
[9:18] can be weeks, and like that. So, there's
[9:19] a lot more detail, so I feel more
[9:21] comfortable voting to approve these
[9:22] programs.
[9:35] » Next, we have a motion to have a
[9:37] purchase of service agreement between
[9:38] Bedford County Children and Youth
[9:39] Services and following on side of them.
[9:42] 2021 to 2022.
[9:45] We have a motion to approve
[9:47] motion to approve E.V. Black Attorney
[9:50] LLC as a legal solicitor for a period of
[9:53] 1 year to
[9:54] 1 year to the Bedford County Agriculture
[9:58] Conservation [clears throat]
[9:59] Easement Program based on the
[10:00] recommendation of Bedford County
[10:02] Commission.
[10:04] » So moved.
[10:06] » Second.
[10:07] » Having a first and second, are there any
[10:09] other comments or do you want to say
[10:11] anything?
[10:12] » Um I would just say that this is to
[10:14] assist my department in administering
[10:16] the um the ACE program. The funds will
[10:20] come mainly from the funding that we
[10:22] received from the state which is uh
[10:24] cigarette tax funds that we get to
[10:27] purchase farms and these solicitors will
[10:29] be used to assist in those purchases.
[10:34] » Thank you.
[10:34] » Yep.
[10:35] » Having a first and second, all those in
[10:37] favor?
[10:38] » Aye.
[10:39] » Aye.
[10:41] » Those? That motion carries. A motion to
[10:44] actually approve of the agreement
[10:45] memorandum of understanding between
[10:47] Unified Family Services and the Bedford
[10:49] County Children and Youth Service
[10:50] supplements
[10:53] services supplements and MOU executed
[10:56] September 19th, 2026 between U
[10:59] SS and the Bedford County Commissioners
[11:01] September 19th, 2006 and reaffirmed June
[11:05] 2nd, 2000
[11:07] 10. The UFS UFS S Bedford County
[11:11] memorandum continues until terminated by
[11:14] mutual agreement and reflects the
[11:16] resolution approved by the Commissioners
[11:18] on those dates. The effective date is
[11:20] July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027
[11:25] based upon the recommendation of Fiscal
[11:26] Affairs
[11:27] Administration, Children
[11:30] and Youth Services in Bedford County.
[11:32] » Uh I have I have a request, Chair.
[11:35] Uh I just received uh this memorandum on
[11:39] uh the end of the uh
[11:40] past week. I I would like uh
[11:42] us to consider tabling this motion until
[11:44] next month's meeting so I have time to
[11:46] review the contract and review the
[11:48] original
[11:49] uh MOU from uh 2006.
[11:52] Uh
[11:53] I think that uh I'd like to meet with uh
[11:55] CYASS Commissioner Hutchins and I don't
[11:57] think it'll interfere with with program
[12:00] as it's running at the moment. Uh but I
[12:02] would uh I'd just like a perspective on
[12:04] the asking we table it to next month to
[12:06] have
[12:06] uh
[12:07] Commissioner Hutchins back on this from
[12:08] issue.
[12:10] » Commissioner Hutchins, do you have
[12:11] anything to add to any of the services?
[12:12] » No, I'm good with that.
[12:13] » Commissioner Body, do you have any
[12:14] comments?
[12:19] » Um I'm thinking about this. I
[12:23] I do not want to get into a habit of
[12:25] tabling motions uh when they come before
[12:28] the board. Uh I think they should be
[12:30] tabled prior to our meeting when at all
[12:33] possible. Um so I am willing to move
[12:36] this forward uh but I would defer to the
[12:39] chair and whether you would prefer to
[12:42] table it or not.
[12:45] » I can support what you're saying about
[12:47] tabling it prior to coming to the
[12:49] meeting, but in this case I would I
[12:51] would
[12:52] table it for the next meeting.
[12:56] Okay, so we'll go on to a motion to act
[12:57] and approve the following individuals
[12:59] for appointment as members of the Opiate
[13:01] Scholarship with Youth Committee
[13:03] effective August 11, 2026 to December
[13:06] 31, 2027
[13:08] based upon the recommendation of Bedford
[13:10] County Commissioners.
[13:12] That Bachman, Sandra Benko, Aaron
[13:15] Galler, Dean McGee, Beth Noggle, Lucille
[13:19] Parks, Brenda Smith, and ex officio
[13:22] would be Stephanie Livingston and Liam
[13:24] Buckle.
[13:27] » So moved.
[13:29] » Second.
[13:31] » Having a first and a second,
[13:33] I would like to say that this is the
[13:34] result of our approval for last month
[13:37] for our scholarship programs. So, this
[13:39] new committee that we need to discuss
[13:42] the result of the people who are on the
[13:44] list. I would like to have thanked all
[13:45] those people who are willing to serve on
[13:47] this committee.
[13:50] Having said that, all those in favor?
[13:51] [clears throat]
[13:52] » I.
[13:53] » I.
[13:54] » Opposed?
[13:56] That motion will carry.
[13:59] » [clears throat]
[14:00] » Next, we have a motion to approve the
[14:02] appointment of Jeff Boss to the
[14:03] Huntington-Bedford-Fulton
[14:05] Area Agency on Aging Citizens Advisory
[14:08] Council effective July 2026 through
[14:11] February 29th, 2028 based
[14:14] based upon the recommendation of Connie
[14:16] Wertz, Executive Director.
[14:19] » So moved.
[14:21] » Second.
[14:22] » Having a first and a second, any
[14:23] additional comments?
[14:26] Hearing none, all those in favor?
[14:29] I.
[14:29] » I.
[14:30] » I.
[14:31] Opposed?
[14:32] That motion will carry. Next, we have a
[14:35] motion to adopt the Bedford-Fulton Joint
[14:37] Recreation Authority Bylaws proposed
[14:39] revision
[14:40] based upon the recommendation of Bedford
[14:42] County Commissioners.
[14:44] This is a revision to the bylaws that
[14:45] were
[14:46] revised back
[14:47] December and January of last year or
[14:50] December of last year and January of
[14:52] this year.
[14:53] And I was not going to read through all
[14:55] of this.
[14:56] Jim, do you have any brief statement you
[14:57] want to say about these?
[14:59] » I want to say Well, I just These bylaws
[15:01] increase the quorum from six to 10
[15:03] members.
[15:05] Uh and it clarifies the language on how
[15:07] to break ties when there are an even
[15:09] number of members on the authority.
[15:12] Uh so, we're pleased to have this
[15:15] revision.
[15:17] And and the additional members that we
[15:19] have have been appointed like Boyd Wertz
[15:23] it would be very valuable.
[15:25] » And my understanding is you have 10
[15:27] members which is an even number so the
[15:28] chair will not vote unless there is a
[15:30] tie.
[15:31] » Correct.
[15:32] » Thank you.
[15:35] I'll take a motion to accept.
[15:37] » So moved.
[15:38] » I'll second.
[15:40] » Having a first and second, all those in
[15:42] favor?
[15:43] I.
[15:44] » I.
[15:45] » Opposed?
[15:46] That motion carried.
[15:49] We have a motion to enact a resolution
[15:51] 2026-8-11
[15:54] as presented approving in accordance
[15:57] with section 147 of the Internal Revenue
[16:00] Code of 1986
[16:02] as amended a plan of financing by Butler
[16:04] County Authority to be undertaken for
[16:06] project for benefit of Valley Special
[16:09] Needs Programs Inc.
[16:11] as reviewed by Dean Crabtree
[16:14] attorney. Based on point of
[16:15] recommendation of Bedford County
[16:17] Commissioners we have Damien and Farah
[16:20] right here to answer any questions
[16:22] should anybody have any questions.
[16:24] But one key thing to note is
[16:27] you return to page six
[16:32] in your agenda.
[16:34] It says section two of plan of financing
[16:36] is for $1,300,000
[16:39] and section three says the note shall
[16:42] not constitute a debt or obligation of
[16:44] the county and does not obligate the
[16:46] taxing power of the county of Bedford in
[16:48] any way.
[16:49] It's very important everybody be all
[16:50] aware of that.
[16:53] It was you all
[16:53] » I'll make that motion.
[16:56] » I'll second. Having a first and second,
[16:59] does anybody have any comments?
[17:01] Hearing none, all those in favor?
[17:04] I.
[17:04] » I.
[17:06] » Opposed?
[17:08] That motion will carry.
[17:10] Next we have a motion to act on the
[17:12] approval of
[17:13] motion to approve the proclamation of
[17:16] Holy Holy People of Fools Month. In
[17:20] honor of National Seniors Month,
[17:22] this is based upon the recommendation of
[17:24] Bedford County Commissioners and Dallas
[17:26] is going to read that for us.
[17:27] Dallas, how old do we have to be to be
[17:29] Older Americans? Say "Older as you want
[17:31] to be."
[17:33] Thank you.
[17:34] » So, Older Americans are all month for
[17:36] September 2026.
[17:38] Whereas, Older Americans are the
[17:39] foundations of Bedford County, have
[17:41] strengthened our communities throughout
[17:42] their hard work, service, wisdom,
[17:44] resilience, and lifelong contributions.
[17:46] And whereas, older residents continue to
[17:48] enrich Bedford County by volunteering
[17:50] and mentoring younger generations,
[17:52] preserving our local history, supporting
[17:53] families, and serving as valued members
[17:55] of our communities. And whereas, Bedford
[17:58] County is committed to fostering an
[17:59] age-friendly community where people of
[18:01] all ages are respected, included, and
[18:03] empowered to live healthy, meaningful,
[18:05] and fulfilling lives. And whereas, it is
[18:07] important to challenge outdated
[18:08] stereotypes of aging, and instead
[18:11] celebrate the talents, experiences, and
[18:13] accomplishments of older adults, while
[18:15] encouraging meaningful meaningful
[18:16] connections between generations. And
[18:18] whereas, the Older Americans are all
[18:20] month movement, founded by me, was
[18:22] celebrate created to celebrate older
[18:24] adults, inspire positive perceptions of
[18:26] aging, and remind our community that
[18:28] growing older is something to be
[18:29] embraced and celebrated. And whereas,
[18:32] throughout the month of September,
[18:33] residents, businesses, schools,
[18:34] organizations, and community groups are
[18:37] encouraged to recognize the many ways
[18:38] older adults have shaped Bedford County,
[18:40] and to participate in activities that
[18:42] honor, include, and celebrate them. Now,
[18:44] therefore, we the Bedford County
[18:45] Commissioners do hereby proclaim
[18:48] September 2026 as Older Americans are
[18:50] all month in Bedford County,
[18:51] Pennsylvania, and encourage all
[18:52] residents to celebrate the lives,
[18:54] achievements, and ongoing contributions
[18:56] of older adults throughout the
[18:57] community.
[18:59] Be it further resolved that the Bedford
[19:00] County that Bedford County calls upon
[19:03] its citizens, businesses, nonprofit
[19:05] organizations, schools, faith
[19:06] communities, and local governments to
[19:08] recognize Older Americans are all month
[19:10] through acts of appreciation,
[19:12] intergenerational engagement, and
[19:14] community events that honor the older
[19:15] adults who have helped make Bedford
[19:17] County the remarkable place it is today.
[19:21] » Thank you very much, sir. And I've seen
[19:23] much of the work that you've done with
[19:24] the older adults. And it's greatly
[19:27] appreciated.
[19:27] » Thank you. Thank you. We enjoyed it.
[19:28] » Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[19:32] » Okay.
[19:35] » Do we have any questions?
[19:36] » We did not do any public questions.
[19:38] I'll take a motion.
[19:39] » So moved.
[19:40] » And a second.
[19:41] » Second.
[19:44] » Thank you. All those in favor?
[19:46] » I.
[19:46] » I.
[19:47] » I.
[19:49] » Opposed?
[19:50] That motion will carry.
[19:51] Next, we have a motion to act on
[19:54] approval of Bedford Finance Department
[19:56] Policy Vendor ACH Payments Processing
[19:58] Policy FIN-ACH-001,
[20:03] effective August 11, 2026, based on the
[20:05] recommendation of Bedford Finance
[20:07] Committee.
[20:08] We're not going to read through this. It
[20:09] is very lengthy, but you're more than
[20:11] welcome to read through it. If you have
[20:13] any questions, please let us know.
[20:16] » So moved.
[20:18] » I'll second. Having a motion and second,
[20:21] are there any different comments?
[20:24] Hearing none, all those in favor?
[20:26] » I.
[20:27] » I.
[20:28] » Opposed?
[20:30] That motion will carry.
[20:32] Next, we have motion and a motion to act
[20:34] on the approval of the following
[20:35] personnel absences.
[20:38] Excuse me, these leaves
[20:39] » [clears throat]
[20:40] » These leaves by department heads for
[20:41] August 2026 as listed.
[20:44] We did have a spelling down on the
[20:46] separate items. Number eight, Greg
[20:48] Foley, on the original agenda came out
[20:51] incorrect.
[20:52] It's been updated
[20:53] and modified to be corrected.
[20:56] » I'll make that motion.
[20:59] » I'll second. Having a motion and second,
[21:01] any additional comments?
[21:03] » Yes, Mr. Chairman. Um I have a question.
[21:08] I get confused when I see new hires and
[21:12] the name, for example, the very first
[21:14] name and then it says declined
[21:16] employment.
[21:17] Um, if they were never employed,
[21:20] why are they listed as new hires? I I'm
[21:23] just wondering. I
[21:26] wondering why they're showing up like
[21:27] that. Or one saying a no show at some
[21:31] point. Do you have an answer for that?
[21:34] » Because the paperwork had been
[21:36] submitted, had already been submitted
[21:37] and was put through the system and
[21:39] entered into the system.
[21:42] » So, it's a paperwork.
[21:44] » Yes.
[21:45] » Thing. Thank you.
[21:49] » Having a first and a second, all those
[21:51] in favor?
[21:52] I I.
[21:52] » I.
[21:54] » Opposed?
[21:55] That motion carried.
[21:57] Do my fellow commissioners have any
[21:59] comments they'd like to say today?
[22:03] Hearing none, I'll leave roll taken
[22:05] during the meeting.
[22:07] Um,
[22:08] and our next meeting will be September
[22:10] 15th in room 101. And that's all
[22:13] adjourned.
[22:17] Is there one on the salary then?
[22:20] I'll call to order. President or myself,
[22:23] Commissioner Wayne, Commissioner Bogman,
[22:25] William Tims, and we'll also call on
[22:28] Otto, our secretary-treasurer.
[22:30] I'll take a motion to approve the July
[22:32] 14th, 2026 minutes.
[22:36] » So moved.
[22:37] » I'm first. Do I have a second?
[22:39] » I'll second.
[22:40] » First and a second, any other discussion
[22:42] or comments?
[22:44] Hearing none, all those in favor?
[22:46] » I.
[22:47] » I.
[22:49] Opposed?
[22:50] That motion will carry. I have nothing
[22:52] listed under old business. And under new
[22:54] business, I have a motion after approval
[22:57] of the wages or actually
[22:58] or as by union contracts for the
[23:00] following personnel evaluation for the
[23:02] recommendation of the respective
[23:04] department heads for July and August as
[23:06] well.
[23:09] Move.
[23:11] The first you have a second.
[23:13] » I second.
[23:14] » Having a first and second, are there any
[23:16] additional comments?
[23:19] Hearing none, all those in favor?
[23:21] » I.
[23:23] » I.
[23:23] » I.
[23:24] » Opposed? That motion will carry.
[23:27] I will take a motion to adjourn.
[23:29] Move.
[23:31] Thank you. And our next meeting will be
[23:33] on the 15th of July, December 15th.
[23:36] Thank you all for attending.
[23:40] » Thank you for accommodating my remote
[23:43] participation.
[23:47] » Thank you.