Schuylkill County commissioners on Wednesday approved a $961,624 Homeland Security grant program agreement for the Emergency Management Agency. The money will be used to support planning, training, exercises, maintenance and administrative functions of the East Central Task Force, retroactive from Sept. 1, 2014, through Aug. 31, 2016.

In a related matter, commissioners also approved a contract addendum with Delta Development, Mechanicsburg, that will renew the current maintenance and support contract with the EMA by an additional year, from July 1 to June 30, 2016, at a cost of $35,000.In other business, commissioners approved a $107,575 agreement with Dauphin Datacom of Harrisburg to install the data network and fiber-optic cabling for the Children and Youth Services Agency offices at the former beauty school at 324 N. Centre St., adjacent to the courthouse. Pricing for the hardware and installation services were quoted from the PEPPM Technology Purchasing Program. PEPPM is a national cooperative purchasing program open to schools and local governments to save money.The county bought the building and two nearby parking lots from brothers Dale and Franklin Schoeneman, who operated the Empire Beauty School, for $740,000 in May 2013, with government grant money to help offset the cost.Commissioner Gary J. Hess, who opposed the purchase by eminent domain, challenged the Dauphin Datacom action. However, both Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. and Commissioners' Chairman Frank J. Staudenmeier voted in favor of it.Also on Wednesday, commissioners approved a $221,872 increase to the Office of Senior Services contract with Diakon Child, Family and Community Ministries of Allentown.They also agreed to seek bids for the agency's congregate and home delivered meals contract. Sealed bids are to be submitted to the county controller's office at the courthouse at 401 N. Second St., Pottsville, by 3 p.m. June 1. The bids will be opened at the commissioners' work session on June 3.The current contract ends June 30.Commissioners also hired Northeast Industrial Services for $14,440 for a demolition project at 27 and 30-32 Walnut St. in Delano Township.They also agreed to transfer surplus grant funded recycling bins to East Union Township for use by its residents. The state Department of Environmental Protection approved the transfer of the equipment because it was initially funded with state grant money.Commissioners are seeking bids to replace county bridge No. 7, on Cave Road over Deep Creek in Barry Township. Bids will be accepted in the controller's office until 3 p.m. June 15, with bid opening at the commissioners' work session on June 17, and a tentative award date of June 24.