Hollidaysburg Soccer field to be named in honor of late judge

Blair County commissioners agreed with plans to name a soccer field at Valley View County Park in memory of the late Fred B. Miller of Tyrone, a longtime magisterial district judge who became a county judge in January.

Miller, 54, died in November of cancer after a short medical leave that began in late August.

Joseph Keller of Hollidaysburg, who chairs the county’s park and recreation advisory board that Miller served on for several years, advised commissioners of the board’s support for the action and proposed the solicitation of donations for a recognition plaque.

Chairman Dave Kessling called the proposal very fitting for Miller.

“He was a good man … I think this is a good way to honor him and remember him,” Kessling said.

Commissioners are expected to work with the advisory board on arrangements for the submission of donations.

Residents encouraged to serve on county boards

Blair County Commissioner Amy Webster is encouraging local residents to volunteer to serve on county authorities, boards and commissions.

The county has many openings on these boards that provide an opportunity to become involved in local government, Webster said.

“It’s like voting,” the commissioner said. “You should want to participate.”

Applications are available on the county’s website at www.blairco.org, under a link for “talent bank applications.”

Commissioners are responsible for appointing members to serve on the airport authority, convention center authority, general authority, hospital authority, industrial development authority, redevelopment and housing authority, affordable housing trust fund advisory board, agricultural land preservation board, children and youth advisory board, conservation district board, Fort Roberdeau advisory board, social services advisory board and the planning commission.

County signs inmate haircut contract

Blair County is signing a contract with Amanda Sullivan to offer hair-cutting services at the prison, at a cost of $12 per inmate. That price is to remain in effect at least through Nov. 1, 2025. Advance notice is required by Sept. 30, 2025, if Sullivan wants to change the rate.

Commissioners voted Thursday to approve the proposal.

Spring Hill Laser Services to handle county’s billing

Blair County is signing a contract with Spring Hill Laser Services, headquartered in Lake Ariel, Wayne County, for the processing, printing and mailing of 2025’s county and municipal tax bills.

The county will pay $41,151 to the company to prepare an estimated 61,100 bills.

The county will pay postage costs. Current law requires the bills to be mailed.

County changes service for background checks

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County will start using SimpliVerified LLC, headquartered in Draper, Utah, starting Jan. 1 for criminal background, education and employment-related searches.

The county has been using Justifacts Credential Verification of Murrysville, near Pittsburgh, to complete relevant searches, but is turning to SimpliVerfied because of lower rates, as recommended by the county’s human resources office.

“This was an opportunity to reduce costs,” HR Assistant Director Brian Walters said.

Walters said he couldn’t offer an estimate because the county’s cost will depend on how many times it uses the service.

SimpliVerfied LLC indicated that it will complete three types of criminal background searches for a comprehensive package price of $26.45 per person. An employment/education search is available at a cost of $8.

Walters said Justifacts’ prices were higher and an increase was forthcoming.

The county’s contract with SimpliVerified extends through Dec. 31, 2025.

Blair salary board votes to end Zoom audio access to meetings

The Blair County Salary Board has voted to end its use of Zoom to make audio access of its meetings available to the public and to board members unable to attend in person.

The option, which developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, continued afterward with occasional usage by county department personnel from locations outside the public meeting room at the courthouse.

Commissioner Dave Kessling, who took office in January, said he thought the option might have been used once since he joined the board.

Commissioner Laura Burke, who used the Zoom option during the COVID-19 pandemic and occasionally after in-person meetings resumed, spoke of the option’s shortcomings that include difficulty to hear meeting participants and a lag in voice transmission.

But the option also provides a way to present public comment, as it did in September when District Attorney Pete Weeks spoke on pending salary board actions. At that time, Weeks was in Altoona handling Central Court proceedings.

Kessling said that if there’s an outcry or reason to bring back the Zoom option, it could be considered.

The audio option is available to the county at no cost.