BELLEFONTE — The Centre County Commissioners formally established April as National County Government and Centre County Employee Appreciation Month, honoring the nearly 600 employees who serve the people of Centre County.

“The commissioners are very proud of our staff,” Commissioner Mark Higgins said at the board’s meeting Tuesday. “We are known across the Commonwealth as one of the better run medium-size counties in the state.”

The proclamation highlights the range of services county employees provide, from public safety and emergency response to human services, elections, community development and the justice system, many of which are available 24/7, 365 days a year.

“Centre County government is always here, and that really requires a lot of dedication, and frankly, exhausting hours sometimes on the part of Centre County Government staff,” Commissioner Amber Concepcion said.

“County employees and our human service agencies are with Centre County citizens on their very best days and their very worst days,” Higgins added.

On an average day, about a quarter of the county’s population — or 42,000 to 43,000 people — is served by county government staff and contractors, he added.

“(County employees) come from so many different backgrounds and so many different kinds of expertise, all of which are assembled here to make county government run and run well,” said Concepcion.

Commissioners encouraged residents to consider public service opportunities with the county.

Whether launching a career or seeking a new path, the county noted that public service offers opportunities to contribute to the community. More information is available at www.centrecountypa.gov/jobs.

In other business, the board appointed a new representative to the America250PA County Advisory Committee.

Lesley Kistner, public relations director for the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) — the official tourism promotion agency for Centre County — was appointed to represent the county on America250PA’s County Advisory Committee.

Committee members are appointed by each county’s governing body, with one representative serving from each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

“I look forward to the continued work with the America250PA Committee, and helping promote initiatives locally throughout this historic year,” said Kistner. “In Boalsburg, State College, Bellefonte and across the county, the nation’s 250th birthday is being commemorated in memorable ways. I encourage the community to join the celebration, reflecting on our county’s storied past while moving forward together toward a promising future.”

Kistner succeeds Ed Stoddard, HVAB’s longtime communications director, who recently departed after nearly seven years with the organization.

Higgins said the choice of Kistner was led by a commitment to keeping continuity with the program.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Amy Schirf, education coordinator for the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority (CCRRA), announced the annual free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. The two-day event will be held on Friday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, April 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 253 Transfer Road in Bellefonte.

The commissioners also announced that Centre County Government offices will be closed Friday, April 3, 2026, in observance of Spring Break.