CLEARFIELD- The Clearfield County Commissioners had good news about both the state budget and
the recent election.
After over 130 days the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is about to approve a budget, as early as Wednesday, and the commissioners made a point during Wednesday’s meeting to thank legislators for “finally doing their jobs” and stressed the need to start working on next year’s budget as soon as possible so that a similar situation doesn’t happen again.
However, the damage is done to many agencies and municipalities, many of which had to take out loans to get through the crisis.
Clearfield County has had an ongoing policy of maintaining a reserve fund in the event of an emergency, something the Clearfield Area School District has also done, but those funds were starting to get thin.
Some small vendors to the county have had to close their doors and may never reopen because of the budget crisis, and there will be no repayment from the state for interest incurred in loans or to help businesses regain their footing.
It was noted in passing that 2026 is an election year for both the governor as well as many seats in the General Assembly.
In regards to the election, Commissioner Dave Glass reported that the overwhelming opinion of the new electronic poll books was positive.
The commissioners also noted there were very few issues and that the new director of elections had a very good experience.
Also there was about a 43 percent turn out in the county and some areas saw over 50 percent.
Commissioner Tim Winters noted that several precincts will need poll workers for the upcoming primary election in the Spring. More information will be forthcoming, but Pike Township and Clearfield’s Third Ward have already notified the election office of their situation.
Anyone interested in serving as a poll worker should contact the election office.
Also, all checks for workers should be in the mail by Nov. 20.
The commissioners also approved several board appointments and agreements for 2026, including an agreement with Forensic Pathology Associates, which provides autopsy services and other screenings for the coroner’s office.
Another agreement is with Center County for the temporary housing of inmates as needed at $75 per day. Currently there are no inmates housed out of county.
The commissioners also approved a memorandum of understanding with Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators for a new training program, Accenture Avenues Virtual Reality Training.
The training is being offered to all counties and the cost for Clearfield County is $4,401.31 plus the cost of a headset and will allow for enhanced training for caseworkers.
