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LOCK HAVEN -- "It's like we don't exist on the state's map," Clinton County Commissioner Miles Kessinger remarked during discussion about the state of Clinton County when it comes to receiving the COVID vaccine.
The comment came at Thursday night's commissioners' meeting after Clinton County Director of Emergency Services Andrew Kremser reported that 1,600 people in Clinton County have received the first dose of vaccine and 248 county residents have gotten their second shot.
Kessinger said that 180,000 doses of the vaccine were put out in the state this week, but very few came to this area.
"The problem is supply," said Commissioner Jeff Snyder.
"The rural counties are trying to get their voices heard… it's all about supply. We keep working on it," Snyder continued.
"That's rural America. We'll be the last to get the vaccine. It's not just our area. We are doing everything we can," Commissioner Angela Harding continued.
Harding said the local COVID community coalition has been in touch with the office of state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Centre) and learned Borowicz has a meeting with officials in Harrisburg on Monday to work toward more vaccinations in the county. "We need to be working with bigger government to help communities get the vaccine," she said.
Harding added that Snyder has also been working with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania to get more vaccine to this area.
In other business, the board:
-- Approved a 2.5 percent annual pay increase for the county coroner and county treasurer elected later this year. The new pay scale goes into effect Jan. 1, 2022. The coroner's salary, now at $52,265 will increase by 2.5 percent each year for four years, ending at $57,690 in 2025. For treasurer/tax claim director, current compensation is $61,253. That amount would increase 2.5 percent each year ending at $66,793 in 2025. Action is taken prior to the election so that those seeking those offices will know what the salaries will be in future years.
-- Approved an inmate housing agreement with Huntingdon County, effective Jan. 22, 2021, to house inmates at the Clinton County Correctional Facility at a rate of $70 per inmate per day.
--Approved subrecipient agreements with Cambria and Clearfield County in connection with the three-county Community Water Action Plan and a $100,000 Chesapeake Bay CAP Implementation Grant.
-- Appointed Scott Koser as the administrator for the Agricultural Preservation Program, effective Jan. 25, and approved the 2021 funding commitment for that program in the amount of $35,025.
-- Approved the resignation of Matt Rodgers, part-time dispatcher at the Department of Emergency Services, effective Jan. 28.
-- Approved payment of county bills in the amount of $608,285 for the two-week period ending Jan. 28, and net payroll in the amount of $306,967 for the two-week period ending Jan. 22.
-- Heard that the new walk-up window on the west side of the Piper Building is nearly complete. When finished, residents will be able to do business with the treasurer's office without entering the building.
The commissioners will continue to meet bi-weekly. The next work session is at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, and the next voting meeting is Thursday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. All meetings are being held virtually and streamed live on Facebook.