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BELLEFONTE -- The Centre County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance Tuesday establishing a countywide property contact information list as part of new requirements under Pennsylvania law.
Ordinance 2 of 2026 implements Act 29 of 2026 and establishes procedures for the submission, maintenance and disclosure of property contact information, according to the commissioners' agenda. The ordinance also authorizes the county's chief assessor to administer the list and establishes penalties and other provisions.
"It is some extra work, thankfully it's a going forward situation. Officially, the only potential requesters are the municipalities as they're enforcing some of their own ordinances and code issues," Chair Mark Higgins said.
The commissioners also approved a grant application that will provide up to $108,159 in state funding for Centre County's Adult Probation and Parole program. The funding will assist with Adult Probation Officer salaries for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The commissioners approved several contracts and funding agreements involving county services, while other items were moved to next week's consent agenda.
Among them was a $1.312 million Medical Assistance Transportation Program allocation for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The funding will provide transportation for individuals who qualify for the program.
"People have things like dialysis. They're medically unable to drive, so that gets them to their appointments and gets them back home," Higgins said.
The commissioners also approved the purchase of five vehicles from Penn State University through in-kind funds for the county's transportation program. The total cost is $120,120, including a 10 percent surcharge.
The vehicles include a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban and four Ford Escapes from 2022.
"The Ford Escapes will be replacing Jeeps which are harder on gas. So, these are steps in a more efficient, sustainable direction," Centre County Administrator John Franek, Jr. said.
The board also approved a letter of support for Penn State Professor Ling Rothrock's sabbatical. According to the agenda, the Centre County Office of Aging will assist Rothrock in connecting networks in congregations with available services to improve care for older adults in Central Pennsylvania.
"So what we're hearing is essentially that faith based organizations will be used in conjunction with other human service opportunities to provide care for folks that desperately need it," Commissioner Steven Dershem said.
Several mental health, intellectual disability and early intervention contracts were also approved or advanced to the board's consent agenda.
The contracts include agreements with providers for psychiatric rehabilitation, outpatient services, supported living, respite care, vocational rehabilitation, supported employment and other services.
The board also approved an additional $1,500 in funding for EBN, LLC to increase the availability of early intervention services.
The commissioners approved contract increases for several human services programs through the consent agenda, including an increase of more than $67,000 for Centre Helps' 24-hour Information & Referral Hotline. The contract increased from $70,000 to $137,561.
The board also approved an additional $5,045.52 for Centre Helps' Basic Needs Case Management Program and an additional $2,045.66 for Housing Transitions Inc.'s Coordinated Entry Walk-In Center.
The commissioners also adopted a proclamation declaring Oct. 18 as Centre County Sports Hall of Fame Day.
"All the inductees have their memorabilia out and most of them, or at least their children are available to chat with everyone about what they did back in high school, and in college and, in rare occasions, even the pros," Higgins said.
The board approved the Sept. 15 meeting minutes and a check run dated Sept. 18.
The commissioners' next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sept. 29 at the Willowbank Office Building.