LOCK HAVEN — The merger of Lock Haven University with Mansfield and Bloomsburg universities has been a controversial issue for the past few weeks, with local rallies, town halls and other events expressing opposition to the PAASHE proposal.

On Thursday, the Clinton County commissioners took a stand on the issue.

Commissioner Angela Harding read the following statement:

“The Clinton County Board of Commissioners are concerned about the adverse effects that the proposed merger of Lock Haven University will have on our county.

“We understand that changes need to occur within the PASSHE system for sustainability and longevity. However, those changes should not come at the cost of employees who live and work in our community. These changes should neither be made in haste, nor without careful consideration of the economic impact on Clinton County.

Furthermore, these changes should not abandon the integral role that Lock Haven University plays in the past, present, and future as one of our county’s educational, collaborative, cultural, and branding assets.

‘The Board of Commissioners of Clinton County urge Chancellor Greenstein and the Board of Trustees to refrain from outsourcing positions, from renaming Lock Haven University, and from eliminating educational areas of study.

“We instead encourage growth, realignment, and the opportunity to use reserves to give Lock Haven University the opportunity to continue to succeed educationally, financially, and with its own identity.”

There were no comments or discussion.

In other business, the commissioners:

— Approved the resignation of Scott Koser, interim deputy conservation district manager, effective April 23. Koser is moving to Trout Unlimited and had 12 years with the county.

— Changed the income eligibility limits for the county’s first-time home buyers closing cost assistance program from 80 percent to 100 percent of the annual HUD-determined area median income by household size, with an update to these limited January of each year.

— Approved an amendment to the inmate Healthiercare Services managment agreement at the Clinton County Correctional Facility with Wellpath LLC to be effective March 18. The amendment will allow Wellpath to hire two registered nurses to replace two licensed practical nurses because RNs are more available.

— Approved a one-year license of Snipe-It Asset Management software program with Grokability Inc. in the amount of $399.

— Proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

— Approved an application for the 2021-22 Intermediate Punishment Treatment Grant from PCCD of the amount of $115,000 to fund probation salaries and electronic monitoring expenses.

— Approved affiliation with Lock Haven University’s Master’s Degree program in Clinical Mental Health counseling.

The next meeting of the commissioners will be a work session at 9 a.m. Monday, April 19 and a voting session on April 22 at 10 a.m.