HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County commissioners are expected to approve a proposal Thursday allocating $22,158 from its general fund for a year of maintaining computerized security systems at the courthouse, the highway yard and the 911 center.

The cost of the maintenance includes the computerized door swipe system installed at the courthouse in 2020 for almost $196,000, paid for with a portion of the county’s $11 million allocation from the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act.

Commissioners Bruce Erb, Laura Burke and Amy Webster reviewed the maintenance proposal Tuesday and are expected to vote on it Thursday. The proposal was submitted by Empire Communications, 1215 16th St., Altoona, the same company that sold the computerized door swipe system to the county.

Based on information reviewed Tuesday, the maintenance agreement can be billed quarterly, at $5,540.

Erb praised the courthouse’s door swipe system and said it has enhanced the building’s security.

It’s effective at limiting access to designated areas where they’re supposed to be, he said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Erb said the system’s employee badges identified those who reported COVID-19 exposure, then temporarily barred them from access to the building.

The installation of the tracking devices and their related door plate hardware resulted in the removal of some historic decorative door knobs that were in use for more than 100 years.

Jim Pooler, who supervises the county’s public works staff, said after Tuesday’s meeting that he has five historic door knob sets in safe storage.

Webster said there have been discussions about putting the historic door knobs on display or reusing them on other doors. But Webster said that hasn’t been a priority project and referenced the latest priority project for roof repairs to the 1999 side of the courthouse.

Commissioners have a proposal on Thursday’s agenda that if approved, will bring in JM Young & Sons to handle roof repairs, at an hourly cost of $50, plus additional costs for materials.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.