CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Clarion County Judge James G. Arner thanked Commissioners Ted Tharan, Wayne Brosius, and Ed Heasley on Tuesday morning for completing the move of the County Probation Offices and District Magistrate Duane Quinn to a newly renovated building, the former Goodwill Building at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Liberty Street.
“I’m here to thank the commissioners and maintenance department for a job very well done and very much appreciated by the court on the purchase of the former Goodwill building and now a county office building that houses Magisterial District Judge Quinn’s offices and courtroom and the adult and juvenile probation offices. The commissioners worked hand-in-hand with the court, Justice Quinn, and Probation Director Jayne Smail in the design and construction process to try and make it best suited to our needs that we really appreciated. Everybody is moved in and functioning, and it’s a needed improvement. We’ve been trying to make these kinds of improvements for some years now, and it’s finally come to fruition.”
“I wanted to thank the commissioners and the maintenance department publically and tell them a job well done. I also wanted to thank the IT department, too. Chad and Brady worked for a smooth transition. That’s also an important part of our operation, and I also wanted to recognize their contribution.”
Tharan responded that the overhaul of the building was just one of the projects the county hopes to get done in the years ahead. He is also proud of the work done by the maintenance crew and the cost savings provided.
“The building is 8400 square feet and the budget and our crew did come in under budget by approximately $100,000.00,” said Tharan. “Our crew was able to construct the new offices at an approximate rate of $60.00 per square foot compared to commercial work that’s done every day at approximately $300.00 per square foot. You can see that the COSTARS program implemented last year and using our personnel to do the work saved the taxpayers a considerable amount versus building a new building.”
COSTARS officials plan to use Clarion’s work on the building as an example of to others of how to save money on purchases and using current employees.
In other business:
• Approved the hiring of William Campbell as a Part-Time LPN for Corrections at $13.13 per hour for 16-hour weeks, effective April 20. Effective Date: 4/20/2018. The position was approved earlier by the salary board and supports the existing full-time nurse.
• Two corrections employees were given a $13.59 per hours after completing their one-year anniversary. Julie Resinger and Miranda Baumcratz are due a pay raise per the union contract. New wage is $13.59 per hour.
• Renewed a contract on behalf of the Department of Public Safety with MCM Consulting Group, Inc for public safety telecommunications consulting. At the cost of $17,100.00 per year coming from 9-1-1 with a term of July 1, 2018, to July 1, 2020.
• Approved a recommendation by the Hotel Tax Committee for a $1,500.00 grant to Once Upon A Christmas in Knox from hotel tax fees collected. Tharan abstained in the vote, stating his wife is involved with Knox activity.
• Approved an agreement with YMCA for county employees to receive a 20 percent discount on YMCA memberships at the Clarion and Oil City locations at no cost to the county. Tharan said that county employees were also able to use the county insurance to help pay for health club membership.
• Wolf’s Auto was the low bidder on a 2017 Carmate 7’ x 16’ trailer at the cost of $4,653.00. The trailer will be used by the maintenance department to movie equipment like mowers to work sites.
• Declared May 2018 as Older Americans Month. Commissioners will present a proclamation on May 9 at Knox Fire Hall Senior Center.
• Approved Clarion County Coalition for Suicide Prevention use of Veterans Memorial Park and Gazebo on September 13, 2018, from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for their annual awareness walk.
• Approved a commercial from hotel tax for 30-second television commercial on WJAC-TV during June, July, and August at a cost of $630.00. The commercial will run on WJAC and promote attractions and lodgings in the area served by PA Great Outdoors (PAGO). PAGO will coordinate the production of the video. WJAC is based in Johnstown and also includes the Altoona market.
