A discussion was held at the work session of the Schuylkill County Commissioners on a request received from West Penn Township supervisors to enter into a cooperation agreement for the purpose of administering their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

West Penn Township, because the 2010 census, showed its population has increased over the 4,000 mark which makes it eligible to make its own application for grants. Prior to the new census the township was among 57 other townships and boroughs in the county which came under the county's entitlement program and shared what funds the county received with the others.Now it can make its own application and is the position to get more than $100,000. The county's usually share was over $300,000 it distributed to programs approved by the county commissioners.Gary Bender, who heads the county the CDBG program, told the commissioners although he is swamped with carrying out the county program he recommends the county enter into the agreement which will be acted on at next Wednesday's public meeting. Pine Grove Township, which also moved over the 4,000 population mark, made the same request and also received Bender's endorsement.Bender said he would assist the township in selecting the project and tell them if it qualifies for CDGB funds, set up the advertising process, schedule a public hearing, prepare bids for the project and submit the project to the Department of Community Economic Development. Once the township selects the project it no longer has to submit it to the county commissioners for approval.Other businessPrison Warden Eugene Berdanier asked the commissioners to extend the food service agreement with Compass Group USA, Inc., of Chicago, which has a district office at Camp Hill. The cost of supplying a daily meal to the inmates in the county prison would remain the same at $1.248 cents per meal. Last year it cost the county $566,596 to feed the prisoners in the county lockup.Mark Scarbinsky, county administrator, requested the commissioners approve the revised financial accountability policy on entities receiving funding from the county.Paul Buber, county fiscal officer, commented, "The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requires governmental organizations to have certain financial accountability policies in place in regard to organizations that receive funding from the county. The purpose of the request is to update some of the outdated language that was in the original policy."Scarbinsky asked for a supplemental budget resolution pertaining to the Capital Reserve Fund which the county maintains for anticipated legal capital expenditures. The commissioners approved drawing $500,000 from the general fund and to transfer this amount to the capital reserve fund.Martina Chwastiak, director of Human Resources, requested hiring Vincent Bindie, Shenandoah, to become a courier for her department and proposed salary of $7.9554 per hour. The job consists of distributing mail received at the courthouse to the various agencies whose offices are scattered in other areas.Rest Haven Home seeks the termination of Michael Zimmerman, Schuylkill Haven, as a part time nurse's aide, transferring Holly Jazwinski, Pottsville, from part time nurse's aide to full time at $11.72 per hour and hiring Tresa Kieffer, Minersville, as a full time nurse's aide at $11.72 per hour. Action will be taken at next Wednesday's public meeting.The board was informed Treasurer Jacqueline McGovern is hiring Bradley Gotshall, Frackville, who was the courier in the Humane Resources Department, as a part time clerk at $13.2086 per hour.Also, Recorder of Deeds A. Matthew Dudish reported he is promoting Gerard Klema, Saint Clair, from clerk one to clerk typist 1 at $13.3086 per hour and Office of Senior Services seeking appointing Donna Marie Lerner, Tamaqua, as an unpaid intern.At the work session of the salary board , Dudish seeks to eliminate the position of clerk one and create the position of clerk typist 1.Closed MondayThe courthouse will be closed Monday in observance of President's Day.