County to update records

Blair County is moving forward with plans to purchase a software program at $544,500 to update computerized property assessment records.

Chief Tax Assessor Deanna Heichel described Vision 8 CAMA Software, to be purchased from Vision Government Solutions Inc., as a complete upgrade for what is now antique software.

Vision Government Solutions is an entity associated with Evaluator Services and Technology of Greensburg, the company that computerized Blair County’s paper tax records, then handled its reassessment project with new property values used to calculate 2017’s real estate taxes.

Commissioner Chairman Dave Kessling said Thursday that efforts were made to identify alternatives to the purchase, but no suitable ones were found.

In addition to the cost of the software, the county will have to pay $18,500 for web hosting services and an annual subscription fee of $75,825.

Vision Government Solutions advertises that Vision 8 CAMA software is currently in use in Huntingdon, Bradford, Crawford, Greene, Tioga and Warren counties.

Software cuts office costs

Blair County Coroner Ray Benton secured the commissioners’ approval on Thursday for contracts with Quincy Technology Solutions Inc. for software enhancements at $3,110 and for software license, maintenance and support at $9,890, both valid through Dec. 31.

Benton said the software, used to maintain the computerized records in his office, has significantly cut the cost of using paper.

The coroner’s office, now located at 15257 Dunnings Highway, East Freedom, also has a new phone number: 814-693-3184.

Wible named to Rec board

Blair County commissioners have appointed Jacob Leon Wible to the county Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. His term will be effective from Feb. 6, 2025, through April 30, 2026.

Burke, Webster attend event

Commissioners Laura Burke and Amy Webster were among county leaders participating in a Jan. 29 event in Harrisburg, spearheaded by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.

During that event, the association identified three legislative priorities for county governments: vote-by-mail reforms, adequate county mental health funding and reauthorization of the 911 surcharge.

Burke referenced desired reforms to Act 77, which contributed to an increase in mail-in ballots and created long lines of voters at county election offices. She said that took time away from election staff who were handling duties in preparation for Election Day.

Webster also spoke in favor of the 911 surcharge but cautioned that it’s not a new proposal. The surcharge in support of 911 services is currently $1.95 on a monthly bill or point of sale for a prepaid device. But that fee is scheduled to expire in January 2026 and reauthorization, Webster said, would keep it in place to afford a valuable resource.

CCAP also favors an increase in the fee to cover what’s now about a 20% shortfall in funding.

Burke said Blair County’s 911 system had 141,000 calls in 2024.

Burke also mentioned the desire to see lawmakers set aside more money for mental health services that continue to exceed the need for services and burden other resources.

— Compiled by Kay Stephens