Centre County commissioners discuss variety of issues

No actions were taken by the Centre County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday as the board exercised a new policy of discussion before action.

Under the policy, commissioners will hear and discuss any memorandums or contracts that come before the board. The board can then consider a motion to add an action to the next week’s regular meeting.

The board heard propositions regarding: a compressor station in Snow Shoe Township; renewal between the county and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for a hazardous materials response fund grant; and a memorandum between the county, Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation Board and ClearWater Conservancy regarding the joint purchase of agricultural conservation easements, among other discussions.

All proposals can expect action during next week’s board meeting.

Acting County Administrator Denise Elbell confirmed the board received about $5 million in state funding during the past week, covering recent county expenses. This allowed the county to avoid drawing down on the tax and revenue anticipation note approved by commissioners last week.

Elbell said the only money drawn from the TRAN so far was the $50,001 required draw upon signing the note.

The board also took some time to reopen the budget, as county Sheriff Bryan Sampsel sought funding for personnel changes within the sheriff’s department.

Sampsel said the department needs a full-time position in charge of scheduling and monitoring for court changes. This would free up deputies for patrols through the courthouse, Willowbank Building and possibly walks through the new Temple Court building.

The sheriff also cited the need for an individual to be promoted to an office manager. The department has three clerical staff to process 1,500 warrants, 4,300 pistol permits and 2,600 civil papers a year and needs a person who can take over managing these duties.

The board confirmed the sheriff’s department will be receiving $15,000 for a stun gun initiative proposed by Sampsel. The funds would cover the purchase of equipment, and Sampsel said he was working toward securing a grant that will fund stun gun training for the deputies.

In other business, the board discussed the possibility of altering the county’s ethics policy in light of upcoming election activity.

Circulation of nomination petitions will begin in two weeks, Chairman Michael Pipe said, giving anyone the opportunity to run for an elected office.

“It’s an exciting time,” he said. “I love going petitioning and building support.”

The concerns arise when it comes to petitioning at county buildings during work hours, he said, and if supervisors are asking employees to petition for them.

Commissioners had discussed banning petitioning from county property, he said. Of course, however, they would want to protect staff members’ First Amendment rights to support a candidate.

Commissioner Steve Dershem said he would want to consider the legal ramifications of telling someone what they could or couldn’t do during their private time in a public building.

“Saying someone can’t go in front of the courthouse to sign a petition on county property is a very broad application of the procedure,” he said.

Vice Chairman Mark Higgins raised the point that in order to sign a petition, the signer must be the same party as the petitioner, creating pressure for employees to reveal their party affiliations.

“We would want a policy that can withstand legal scrutiny,” he said.

County solicitor Betsy Dupuis was directed to return to the board next week with potential legal language for the board to discuss.

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 5:59 PM with the headline "Centre County commissioners discuss variety of issues."