Schuylkill County office buildings will be getting a little brighter thanks to a $48,000 grant from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance as part of its energy-efficient lighting program.
The county commissioners approved a subrecipient agreement for the program Wednesday at a public meeting.
Schuylkill County is eligible for $48,284.34 in Appalachian Regional Commission grant funding. The agreement began Sept. 1 and ends Aug. 31, 2014. The county submitted its match in January.
The funds will be used for lighting upgrades and retrofits at the human services, communications and adult probation buildings.
The board awarded a contract for a 2012 Community Development Block Grant program and placed three others out for bid.
Dallago Backhoe Service, Mar Lin, received the contract for storm drainage improvements along East Ogden Street in Girardville. The project cost is $57,226.31.
Two of the projects up for bid are for American with Disabilities Act upgrades at parks in West Penn and Pine Grove townships. The third project is for storm sewer improvements along First Street in Oneida, East Union Township.
Bids are due in the controller's office by Sept. 30 and will be opened Oct. 9.
The board approved a $43,413 budget adjustment in the public works office. Paul Buber, county financial analyst, said the funds are for upgrades to the fire alarm system at the courthouse. The project was not part of the department's original budget and is required following a recent maintenance inspection of the building, Buber said.
The Schuylkill County retirement fund increased by more than $2 million since July 31. According to the controller's report Wednesday, the fund was at $112,344,689 on Aug. 31. The fund went up since then and was at $114,683,363.62 on Wednesday.
The commissioners also recognized Sept. 17 through Sept. 23 as "Constitution Week." Sept. 17 marks the 226th anniversary of the drafting of the U.S Constitution. Jean Dellock, a member of the Mahantongo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, accepted the proclamation Wednesday.