All 67 tax collectors in Schuylkill County are now mandated to utilize the county tax collector computer system, computerized duplicates, and new compensation system in making tax returns to the treasurer's office at the courthouse in Pottsville, according to action taken by the county commissioners at their public meeting held Wednesday.

County Treasurer Jacqueline McGovern reported she has updated the county's taxpayers policy manual to bring it to include modern technical standards. McGovern estimated under the new commission plan the county will be saving around $64,000.Last year tax collectors received commissions totaling $425,000.Other businessApproval was given Sheriff Joseph G. Groody to purchase two new vehicles under the state's purchase agreement. Groody reported he is disposing of three vehicles with high mileage and reducing his fleet to eight vehicles.The commissioners accepted demolition bids of dilapidated homes in three municipalities under its Community Development Block Grant Program.In Coaldale a contract was awarded to Northeast Industrial SVCS Coporation, of Shamokin, to demolish the vacant building at 292 S. Third St., at a cost of $16,770. They were the second highest bidder. Madonna Enterprises Inc., Port Carbon, bid $10,000 but later withdrew its bid.Madonna was awarded the contract to demolish the property at 227 E. Mahanoy Avenue, Girardville, for $17,280; and also the building at 58-60 E. Main St., Tremont, for $37,439.Under an agreement the municipalities pay 25 percent of the cost and the remainder comes out of the county's CDBG funds.ProclamationsA proclamation was adopted endorsing the work of various county agencies which will be involved on directing a point-in-time on Wednesday, Jan. 29, to make a count of the homeless in Schuylkill County with a goal to eradicate homelessness in this county.Involved will be the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol, Senior Services, Schuylkill County Community in Action, Veterans Bureau, county wide police departments, and churches.A second proclamation was adopted designating the year 2014 as "Retired Senior Volunteer Program Year" to recognized the 1.58 million hours of volunteer services over the course of three decades and to celebrate its 30th year of service to the county."