CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County is getting a technology upgrade in the event there would be another shutdown amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
On Tuesday the commissioners approved an Information Technology Services Agreement with Global Data Consultants LLC of Mechanicsburg.
IT Director Adam Curry said the county will completely redo its server infrastructure with $105,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding.
He said it will enable IT staff to manage the county’s servers better remotely in the event of another shutdown. It will also give employees more ability to work from home.
So far as grant availability to municipalities and small businesses, Commissioner Dave Glass said federal rules continue to change and the county is still developing its online application process.
Glass said the county has had five to 10 municipalities communicate a need for CARES funding for costs such as those related to computer technology/telework.
Both Commissioner John Sobel and Glass asked local municipal leaders, business owners, etc., to be patient, with hopes of having the online grant portal open as soon as next week.
Also, on Tuesday, Elections Director Dawn Graham proposed the relocation of Sandy Township’s polling location in Sabula.
Currently, she said it’s located at the Hickory Grange, at 836 Mountain Run Rd., DuBois, where cell phone service isn’t readily available.
She said the judge of election must leave the building and go out to the road to make calls into the Elections Office. “And that’s just not feasible, especially during a Presidential cycle,” Graham said.
She proposed the precinct be relocated to the Tri-County Church, at 1881 Old 255 Rd., DuBois, for the upcoming November election and all future elections.
She said the church offers plenty of parking, handicap-accessibility and cell phone service. Graham said it’s very large, which will also allow poll workers and voters to practice social distancing.
She said the Elections Office will accept questions and concerns in writing through Aug. 17, at 212 E. Locust St., Suite 106, Clearfield, or via e-mail at [email protected].
The commissioners authorized Graham to advertise the proposed change, and if there are no objections, it will be presented to the board for approval Aug. 25.
County Solicitor Heather Bozovich also updated the commissioners on a lawsuit recently filed by the Trump Reelection campaign in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
She said the lawsuit was filed against all 67 Pennsylvania counties, alleging that drop boxes for mail-in and absentee ballots were unmonitored.
Commissioners Tony Scotto, chair, and Sobel said the county had a drop box at the front of the administrative office building, but it was closely monitored by the security guard.
Sobel said the allegations arose because the more urban counties allowed voters to return ballots to locations other than their county’s elections office.
Bozovich said there weren’t any allegations specifically made against Clearfield County, and the county joined several others to file a motion to dismiss on Friday (July 24).
She said the judge is limiting the amount of written discovery, and she will work with Graham to respond to the set of 15 requests received by the county.
If the case doesn’t get resolved or dismissed, she said there will be an evidentiary hearing Sept. 22-23. “The judge is pushing the case along so a decision can be made.
“One of the biggest concerns for the counties is knowing what to do for the upcoming election. The [case] has been moving along with no recent decisions, just pending discovery.”
As part of the case, Bozovich requested the county approve a joint defense agreement to allow her to enter confidential communications with attorneys for counties in a similar position as Clearfield.
The agreement includes Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Centre, Columbia, Dauphin, Fayette, Indiana, Lackawanna, Mercer, Montour, North Cumberland, Venago and York.
Bozovich said the judge has encouraged counties in similar positions, to file joint rather than separate motions. She said there was no fee associated with the agreement, and it was approved.
In other business, the commissioners:
- approved a grant agreement with the Department of State for Grants for Election Modernization and Security program funds.
- approved agreements with Cen-Clear Child Services to administer the Family Group Decision-Making and Extended Monitored Visitation programs.
- approved purchase of service agreements with Dr. Allen Ryen, Children’s Aid Society of Clearfield County (foster care, adoption and in-home services), Pathways Adolescent Center and Professional Family Care Services.
- approved liquid fuel allocations to Chester Hill Borough, $3,000; Burnside Township, $4,695.37; Ferguson Township, $4,551.50; Goshen Township, $3,450.02; Pine Township, $3,000; and Union Township, $4,250.
- approved four new hires, three employee transfers and two employee separations/retirements.
- approved the minutes from the July 14 board meeting as presented by the chief clerk.
- approved the bills as presented by the Controller’s office.
