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BELLEFONTE -- Centre County commissioners addressed local road funding, library renovations, military recognition and county contracts during their Oct. 27 meeting at the Willowbank Office Building.
The board approved advertising Ordinance 3 of 2026, which would allow the county to impose a $5 fee on each nonexempt vehicle registered to an address in Centre County. The fee would be at the county's discretion.
"There's really more projects that need to be done in terms of local roads and bridges than there's the funding for at any given time," said Amber Concepcion, commissioner and vice chair.
Commissioners also approved advertising an invitation for bids for renovations to the Centre Hall Library. Natalie Corman, Centre County deputy administrator, explained how the county would publicize the opportunity for potential bidders.
"The advertisement will begin tomorrow in the Centre Daily Times and will be posted twice. Then on our county website, we will have a link to that advertisement for potential bidders to find out the information," Corman said.
The board adopted Proclamation 58 of 2026, designating November as Military Appreciation Month in Centre County. Julian Morales, director of local government and community relations at Penn State University, discussed a partnership with the Centre Area Transportation Authority.
"For the second year in a row, we are partnering with CATA as well and CATA will be offering free shuttle rides to the football game for veterans and service members," Morales said.
Commissioners also adopted Proclamation 59 of 2026, designating Nov. 18 through Nov. 25 as Farm City Week. Jim Coslo, conservation district manager, discussed the importance of recognizing the connections between agricultural and urban communities.
"Farm City Week is a time where we recognize the cooperation and collaboration between our rural and urban communities," Coslo said. "This annual observance highlights the interdependence of farmers and city residents who work together to ensure a robust food supply in a thriving economy."
Other business included approval of a $475.20 RingCentral change order to transfer eight additional phone numbers, increasing the monthly charge by $7.92, and a $35,098 invoice from Babst, Calland, Clements & Zomnir for capital projects.
A $56,160 GovAI Software Solutions renewal for the District Attorney's case management system was scheduled for the Nov. 5 consent agenda. Items planned for Nov. 10 included a land development memorandum for The Fountains at State College, an 18,536-square-foot personal care center proposed in Benner Township; $38,631 in additional youth prevention funding; and a $70,000 White Deer Run renewal for drug and alcohol services.
The agenda also included an employee fitness program costing participating employees $5 monthly, with the county contributing $3.13 per employee through wellness funds. An additional $30,000 for Blair Therapies would raise its maximum early intervention allocation from $109,000 to $139,000.
Commissioners appointed Celesta Powell to the Children and Youth Advisory Board through Oct. 26, 2028, and approved C-NET livestreams of the Nov. 3 Vote-by-Mail Center and Board of Elections meetings on Nov. 6 and 9. Other agenda items included financial and administrative reports, voter registration information, the Oct. 23 check run and minutes from the Oct. 14, 15 and 20 meetings.
Officials reminded residents that the deadline to request a mail-in ballot was Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. County offices will close Nov. 11 for Veterans Day, and the Nov. 3 commissioners' meeting was canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. at the Willowbank Office Building in Bellefonte.