Schuylkill County commissioners on Wednesday approved a new commissary operator for the county jail.

Oasis Inmate Commissary Services, based in Atlanta,was granted the exclusive right to operate all commissary services in the jail from May 23 through May 22, 2021.The agreement can continue on a yearly basis after that.Oasis replaces Trinity, which operates the commissary until May 22.Controller Christy Joy asked why the contract wasn't bid.County administrator Mark Scarbinsky said it's because it is considered a professional service, and is a proprietary system.Warden Eugene Berdanier said Oasis uses an inmate accounting program called Lockdown.In another prison-related action, commissioners approved an amendment to extend the prison's service agreement with Global Tel*Link for inmate telephone services.The action extends the agreement for three additional years as of May 18.The agreement may be renewed for two additional one-year terms.Also on Wednesday, commissioners approved a tax assessment appeal settlement between the county and the Schuylkill County Country Club, Orwigsburg.Under the settlement, the fair market value for the two parcels combined is $1.3 million, down from $2,458,130.Halcovage abstained from voting as he is a member of the club.In other matters, commissioners opened bids for a Community Development Block Grant stormwater drainage project on Hancock Street in McAdoo.The bids are from Arthur "Pat" Aungst Inc., Pine Grove, $84,600; Luzerne County Site Contractors, Hazleton, $73,465; Sikora Bros. Paving, Hunlock Creek, $58,946; and M&J Excavation Inc., Bloomsburg, $52,293.The job will be awarded at a later date.Commissioners also proclaimed May 18-24 as Emergency Medical Services Week.