Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Local match for the Area Transportation Authority
The county's annual local transit subsidy continues at $226,270 for the fiscal year starting July 2027 — a bit more each year.
Elected officials' salaries for 2028-2031
Row officers get a 12% raise in 2028 and commissioners/others 10%, tapering to 4% by 2031. Sobel says it's too much given cost-of-living worries; supporters say the county's pay was near the bottom of comparable counties and needed a one-time correction.
Local Share Account grant for Penn Highlands DuBois
The county is sponsoring the hospital's $300,000 state grant application for a new imaging camera serving oncology, cardiology, and neurology patients at the Clearfield campus.
2026-2027 Snow Removal Contract
O.R. Taylor Contracting won the season's snow removal contract as the lowest bidder — plowing happens whether you're headed to work or the hospital.
Planning commission vacancy
A seat is open on the county planning commission — letters of interest are due December 4.
November election ran smoothly
Commissioners praised the election office — turnout hit about 54% and every ballot is counted. They're also pushing to recruit more poll workers.
GovWorx QA training and pre-hire software agreement
The county was looking at bringing on GovWorx QA software for employee training and pre-employment screening. It's part of how the county hires and trains its workforce.
Redevelopment Authority storage rental agreement
The county was considering an agreement with the Redevelopment Authority of Clearfield County for storage rental space.
911 Telecommunicator Training and Hiring Software
The county honored its 911 dispatchers, including a life-saving Easter call. But the center is down five full-timers, which puts strain on emergency response.
National Adoption Month and foster youth permanency
The county added new CYS caseworkers and hires, which commissioners welcomed after the department ran short-handed. Vendor contracts for evaluations, family support and constable services were renewed.
CDBG-funded infrastructure projects in three municipalities
The county is directing $254,741 in Community Development Block Grant money to stormwater fixes on Levy Avenue in Clearfield Borough, reconstruction of Good Street in Lawrence Township (which has been too narrow for school buses and ambulances), and Pine Street reconstruction in Woodward Township.
Commissioner Winters's seat on the Board of Elections
A DuBois resident publicly called on Commissioner Tim Winters to resign from the County Board of Elections, alleging he campaigned for a candidate. Winters defended himself later in the meeting, saying political activity doesn't affect how ballots are counted.
High Impact Development standards for large projects
The county planning office pitched a first-in-Pennsylvania 'HID' review layer for very large projects — data centers, distribution centers, solar farms — in the roughly 30 municipalities without their own zoning. It targets roads, stormwater, utilities and emergency access through design, not land use.
Election preparations and poll worker shortage
Election officials report all hands on deck for Tuesday's primary; today is the last day to request a mail ballot, and completed ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. — officials urge in-person return rather than relying on the mail.
Food bank funding for the coming year
March 2026 marks 25 years of the March for Meals campaign in Clearfield County. Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals and daily welfare checks to seniors — drivers have even found fallen residents and saved lives.
Penelec power outage and county building closures
All three commissioners slammed Penelec for giving less than 24 hours' notice before an outage that forced county building closures, disrupting mail-ballot drop-offs and veterans appointments. They say a week's notice would have been fine.
Graham v. Clearfield County settlement
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has upheld dismissal of the county's long-running lawsuit over construction defects at the county jail, closing the door on recovering costs for roof problems dating to the late 1970s.
School-based probation agreements
Renewed agreements placing probation officers in Clearfield and DuBois Area schools — a program the county considers successful.
Medical Assistance Transportation Program renewal
The county renewed its pass-through deal letting Central PA Community Action run rides to medical appointments for Medical Assistance recipients — about $1 million this year.
Dickinson Center jail and probation services
The renewed CIU 10 agreement keeps GED and adult education classes running at the county jail for another program year.
Moshannon Valley Processing Center contract renewal
A long line of residents demanded the county close or better oversee the ICE detention facility run by GEO Group, alleging denied medical care, violence, and detention of people without criminal records. Commissioners have said their power is limited, but speakers urged them to use what leverage they have.
Possible bridge transfer to Snowshoe Rails to Trails
Ordinance 2026-1 hands the Kellytown Bridge over to PennDOT so the state can complete the bridge project, with all remaining costs covered by state funds — a cost-free fix for county taxpayers.
Blighted property cleanup via tax forgiveness
The county forgave delinquent taxes on a rundown Curwensville property so the borough can demolish it and get it back on the tax rolls — a tool officials say they want to use more for problem parcels.
July 28 flooding disaster declaration
The August 22 Category 1 tornado hit Madera and Decatur Township hard with trees, roads and bridge damage. Ratifying the county declaration keeps the county eligible for state/federal recovery dollars if PEMA can combine damage totals across counties to hit thresholds.
September 11 remembrance ceremony
The commissioners host the 25th anniversary 9/11 remembrance on the courthouse steps Friday, September 11 at 8:30 a.m. — about 40 minutes, everyone welcome.
ARC Human Services tax exemption settlement
A long-running tax appeal over four DuBois parcels ends with a 50% exemption for five years, after which full taxation returns unless ARC refiles.
Community safety fears among immigrant families
A resident told commissioners that immigrant families in Clearfield are frightened and urged the county's leaders to use their visibility to ease fear and division in the community.
911 Communications Reliability
The microwave link from the 911 center to the Rockton Mountain tower became unreliable during recent storms, forcing dispatchers onto backup radios. The board approved an emergency fix.
Drug court development
Probation and Clearfield Jefferson Drug & Alcohol can now keep sharing client info and referral requirements under a renewed three-year deal. It keeps a long-running partnership going for people moving between the justice system and treatment.
Curwensville Lake lease update
An updated Army lease allows raffles and small games of chance at the lake, plus limited alcohol at events with Army approval.
FY 2026-27 Human Services Plan
A two-year agreement with Service Access Management, Inc. keeps information flowing between probation and Children & Youth Services so families get connected support from both agencies.
GEO Group / Moshannon Valley Processing Center and potential ICE sale
Residents and advocates again pressed the commissioners to reject the county's IGSA contract with the GEO Group facility, citing inhumane conditions, family separations, and claims that the county does have leverage. The commissioners maintain they lack authority over the federal facility; the dispute shows no signs of easing.
Standardized polling place leases
All 63 precincts are being moved to one modern lease form covering secure equipment storage, ADA access and termination notice — a long-overdue cleanup after 20 years of election changes.
Vacancy on Clearfield Jefferson Airport Authority
Two volunteer board seats are open — the Clearfield Jefferson Airport Authority (Lyle Millard's resignation) and the Redevelopment Authority (Joan Schimmel's resignation) — with applications due May 22.
Assessment appeal settlement for WBP Leasing property
A large leased Decatur Township property will see its assessed value cut from $8 million to about $5.4–6.1 million over two years, shrinking the tax base for the county, township and especially the Philipsburg-Osceola school district.
Upset tax sale notices
The solicitor warned that notices for September's upset tax sale are going out, and urged property owners who get one to call the tax office — payment arrangements may save their home.
Public comment access policy
The board is drafting a written public comment policy; in the meantime it's using a 20-minute limit with preference for county residents and taxpayers. Several speakers called the taxpayer-preference idea unconstitutional and illogical, arguing federal tax dollars make everyone a taxpayer.
Workforce training after regional education closures
With Triangle Tech, Penn State DuBois and the Lock Haven Clearfield campus closing, the county agreed to back a $300,000 ARC grant for mobile training units bringing robotics, AI and cybersecurity training to schools and adult learners.
Replacement of county phone system with VoIP
The county's current phone system predates its own building. Twenty-three vendors from 12 states responded to the VoIP RFP — a strong field, but sorting out comparable prices will take weeks.
RACC Pocket Park at 24 N. Second Street
The redevelopment authority is seeking a $250,000 state grant to turn the former Brody's site into a downtown pocket park with benches, games, a kids' climbing area, and food-truck space — at no cost to the county beyond a pass-through.
Courthouse renovation and historic building maintenance
The county approved a $21,927.26 renovation quote for the historic courthouse, including courtroom work and sealing window panes that leak air — a change officials say could cut heating costs.
Foster care transportation agreement with Philipsburg-Osceola School District
A new three-year agreement ensures kids in foster care can keep attending their home school, with the district and CYS coordinating transport.
National opioid litigation settlement participation
Clearfield County must decide by May 4, 2026 whether to join a $97.6 million settlement with six remaining opioid defendants. The county's share could be small — maybe around $13,000 — but staying in preserves money for local opioid abatement.
HUD lead hazard reduction grant administration
Lawrence County won a large HUD grant and will administer lead and home-hazard reduction work across seven counties, including Clearfield, at no cost to the county.
Declining federal VOCA funding for Victim Witness services
The Victim Witness Program's federal grant fell another $5,093 this year. Commissioners committed to filling the gap from county general funds — one reason local taxes face pressure.
Lower credit card fees for county payments
The Treasurer dumped Allpaid after it tripled transaction fees to $3.99 — bad news for someone paying $8.80 for a dog license. The new vendor charges under a dollar on small transactions.
Switch in hazardous materials emergency response contractor
McCutcheon Enterprises tripled its yearly retainer to $7,500, so the county is switching to Rapid Response for a one-year trial with no retainer. The service is rarely used but critical when needed.
May 19 primary election readiness
Poll worker vacancies remain in five precincts, mail ballots should go out next week, and officials warn not to wait until the May 12 deadline to request one given Post Service delays.
County staffing and payroll obligations
The board filled seven positions across the jail, sheriff's office, courts, prothonotary and DA's office, with two jail corrections officers departing. These hires affect public safety staffing levels and county payroll.
Redelegation of community development programs to RACC
The county renewed its agreement letting the Redevelopment Authority administer state and federal programs through 2028, and transferred the 1939 Daisy Street property to the authority.