During its work session Monday, the board heard from Juvenile Probation Director Jason Foltz regarding the changes being made to the agreement.

The CCYC is owned and operated by five counties — Clinton, Centre, Huntington, Mifflin and Clearfield — and, according to its website, “is a structured environment providing secure, safe surroundings for both the youth and the community while the youth await court proceedings.”

The facility is located across from the Centre County Correctional Facility in Bellefonte and may be utilized by the five counties. According to Foltz, numerous other counties that do not own the facility may use it when beds are available.

Foltz said the facility has 14 beds, with it averaging about 6 to 8 juveniles at a time due to staffing.

PHOTO PROVIDED Clinton County Commissioner Angela Harding, far left, asks a question about the Central Counties Youth Center agreement to Juvenile Probation Director Jason Foltz during its work session this week. Next to her, from left, are Commissioner Jim Russo, Jeff Snyder and Chief Clerk/COO Desiree Myers.

Foltz told the board the agreement update focuses on how much each owner-county must pay annually. He said the previous cost system would take a five-year average of days used by each county to find what allocation would be made. Payments are made in quarterly installments.

“This year, all five counties are paying an upfront fee to the center,” Foltz said.

Counties will pay $667 per bed, per day for what’s being used in the facility, he continued.

Foltz said, based on the average number of beds the county typically uses, 2026 could see an expense of $327,017.

“If we use the days I’ve averaged we might use,” he added. “The cost could go down if we have out-of-county juveniles at the facility.”

In 2025, Foltz said the county paid $195,861.

“So you’re seeing an increase based off trying to run the facility,” he said. “A lot of this was also due to reimbursements.”

Foltz noted the county is reimbursed for 60 percent of everyday use.

“We will get billed monthly now. You’ll start to see bills on how many days Clinton County used and you’ll be able to be reimbursed 60 percent of that,” he said.

He added the contract is set up for the county to pay these bills in two payments.

Commissioner Chair Jim Russo noted the facility needs to maintain at least seven beds used to break even on costs.

“Anything above seven beds reduces everybody’s costs,” he said.

Commissioner Angela Harding asked if this is at full staff or the current facility staffing.

Russo, who serves on the CCYC board, said it isn’t due to staffing. He said he doubts the facility will ever see all 14 beds full.

Foltz explained the facility is typically used to house a juvenile who is waiting for a court date. So, if the juvenile is able to be seen before a judge and then placed in residential housing, there is no need to use the facility.

“We’re working hard on getting them in, out and into a residential facility,” he said.

Other agenda items the board will consider Thursday morning include:

— A Juvenile Probation Service Program Agreement. Foltz said the county receives $36,721 annually from the Commonwealth that’s used to offset the cost of salaries. Allocation of the funding was late due to the state budget impasse in 2025, he said.

— Expanding the use of Fairfield Technologies software program in the Treasurer’s office to allow residents to purchase licenses for dogs, boats, Bingo and Small Games of Chance. The cost would be $500 in 2026 for set up — with a launch date expected in May or June of this year. Following this, it would cost $110 per month in 2027.

— Consider the purchase of a 330 gallon tote of eco friendly fire fighting foam for the Department of Emergency Services utility truck. The foam will replace a supply that was removed due to containing “forever chemicals.”

— A Hazardous Materials Response Fund Grant Agreement for $4,302 that will be put towards supplies and items for hazardous materials response.

— Consider the purchase of Trend Micro M-Point Computer Management virus protection software at an annual cost of $7,997 for over 251 licenses.