Meeting roundup
• Date: Dec. 3
• Action: Members of the board adopted a resolution ratifying that the commissioners of Beaver, Greene and Washington counties, acting on their authority as the Chief Local Elected Officials, have entered into a new agreement for the Southwest Corner Workforce Investment Area, replacing an agreement in place since 1999.
At the request of the Washington County Hospital Authority, the commissioners gave their OK for Washington Hospital to refinance a 20th century note, in an amount not to exceed $25 million, to take advantage of lower interest rates. The commissioners’ action, which carries no financial risk for the county, is related to what the board called “working capital needs of the hospital, including funding periodic payments to the hospital’s defined-benefit deferred compensation plan.”
At the request of the county Planning Commission, the commissioners approved deeds of easement with Christopher E. Ross at a cost of $7,700 and Keith Strimel at a cost of $10,000 for permanent and temporary easements required for the Miller’s Run No. 3 construction project on Mawhinney Road.
The board approved renewal of the annual contract with Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield for medical insurance coverage in 2016 reflecting a total increase of 5 percent over this year’s rates. The opt-out payment to those who have health insurance from an entity other than Washington County remains at $200 per month.
At the request of the Public Safety Department, the commissioners approved a one-year extended warranty with Sound Communications Inc. of Grove City, Ohio, for the 911 digital recording system at a cost of $25,748 per year through Jan. 20, 2017.
The commissioners approved a lease extension for the office of District Judge Ethan Ward with Gross Industrial Construction Co. of Washington for an additional five years through February 2021. The rate for 2016 will be $1,430 per month, including Internet service, with a 2 percent increase annually.
The board approved the purchase of a wireless mobile “hot spot” for Internet connectivity to be used by the Juvenile Probation Office’s Leadership Enhanced Attitude Development Educational Rehabilitation program at a Washington County Airport hangar as part of a jobs program at a cost of $39.99 per month through AT&T. The device is free, and the purchase is being made from a state contract that does not require bidding.
At the request of the Washington County Redevelopment Authority, the commissioners adopted a resolution to execute the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement $805,000 grant agreement with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for the Claysville patio home project, $250,000; the Char House elevator project, $445,000; and the Charleroi downpayment and closing cost assistance program, $110,000.
• Next meeting: 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, in the public meeting room of the Courthouse Square office building.