Monroe County commissioners took the time during Wednesday morning’s meeting to acknowledge all of the candidates in Tuesday’s election.

“I want to congratulate all of those who ran regardless of whether or not they won or lost,” said Chairman John Moyer. “We have all been there and we know it is hard work.”

Moyer also noted the very high voter turnout in the county. Moyer said that the average turnout for a presidential election is around 70,000. Tuesday there were 54,000 votes registered by voting machines in the county. Moyer said that was a much higher number than the average midterm numbers.

That number does not include the absentee ballots, of which there are about 2,000, and the provisional ballots. Moyer said he expected those ballots to be counted by Friday.

The commissioners approved a larger than normal number of adoption assistance agreements during the meeting. Commissioner John Christie pointed out that November is National Adoption Month and that the county would be holding an Adoption Day event at Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church on Nov. 15 and that all children adopted through the county would be invited to attend with their adoptive families.

The commissioners approved a Notice of Sale for used and confiscated county vehicles to be held on Nov. 10. The public meeting to set salaries for certain elected officials will take place on Dec. 12.

The county executed the 2019 Intergovernmental Transfer Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Long-Term Living to draw down $1,734,941 in additional medical assistance for Pleasant Valley Manor.

The commissioners executed the 2018 State Homeland Security Grant Program Agreement with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $994,639 for the period of Sept. 1, 2018, through Aug. 31, 2021, for the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force. This is the last year that Monroe County will administer the grants for the task force. As of Jan. 1, 2019, the task force will be move to Northampton County.