Perry County Commissioners - Oct. 21, 2024

Perry County commissioners continue to secure funds for broadband expansion, with plans to apply for a new round of Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding, estimating a request of approximately $22 to $25 million. Currently, the county is mapping potential service areas to optimize coverage and working with schools to ensure broadband reaches critical concentrations of users. The process includes navigating various municipal permits, as areas have differing requirements.

A county building feasibility study is underway, which will provide a comprehensive overview of existing infrastructure and future needs. Commissioner Brenda Watson noted the importance of establishing a solid base map, emphasizing that it's a critical foundation for understanding current conditions and planning future expansions.

Commissioners approved several contracts and agreements, including with the Drug and Alcohol Commission, a business associate agreement concerning protected health information, and a mental health and intellectual disability services contract amendment. Additionally, the board approved an internet service contract, a Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant agreement, and a maintenance service agreement. A proposal from ACTS for engineering services for the Rhinesmith porch project was approved at a cost of $14,550.

A Cumberland-Perry Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities contract with New Vision Inc., regarding a long-term structured residential mental health clinic, was approved.

"It's a licensed, 16-bed facility," explained Cumberland-Perry MH/IDD Director Annie Strite. "It is the highest level of care afforded in the community mental health system. They can accept people who could be involuntarily committed to a hospital for treatment, for psychiatric reasons. Typically, the people who receive treatment in these facilities are individuals who have had long histories of serious mental illness and have not been well in the community. Some folks have been coming out of prisons and still need a lot of extra support. The funding from this actually came from a lawsuit settlement with the state, so there's no county match requirement in the development of the project. This is a regional project with Franklin and Fulton counties, so our two counties and their two counties each will have eight beds assigned — a total of 16 but eight for Cumberland and Perry and eight for Franklin and Fulton."

Commissioners passed a software support agreement with Optical Storage Solutions for the Landex system for $19,340 and approved a quote from NEOGOV for prison software at $10,979, which will enhance training and digital organization of standard operating procedures for prison staff.

Former commissioner Larry Reisinger reported on the recent Farm-to-Fork dinner held by Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters at the fairgrounds, noting it attracted about 270 attendees and showcased the hard work of the students.

Bloomfield Borough Council President Malinda Anderson said the borough's park project is expected to be completed soon, with a dedication ceremony planned for mid-November. Plans are in the works to add 15 to 20 two-hour parking spaces in the borough to assist businesses struggling with parking issues.

Chief Assessor Randy Waggoner and Deputy Tax Assessor Darla McNaughton plan to send letters to all municipalities offering to update people on the reassessment process at public meetings.

In personnel matters, Kimberly Brininger was appointed as caseworker II with Children and Youth services. Josh Matter, a 911 dispatcher, resigned. Tymika Moore was approved as a case manager at the county Area Agency on Aging. Watershed specialist Bailey Miller, with the conservation district, resigned.