Lackawanna County Commissioners 7 15 26

The Lackawanna County Commissioners meeting held on July 15, 2026, included several procurement and contracting decisions. The board approved a three-year contract with Cummings Insurance for health and benefits consulting services at a cost of $77,500 for the first year. They also authorized a five-year lease agreement for a district magistrate's office in Dixon City at $41,400 for the first year. Multiple professional service agreements related to youth and family services were renewed, with significant state reimbursement. The commissioners approved a cooperation agreement with Clifton Township for a road improvement project funded by a Community Development Block Grant, awarding a $214,725 construction contract to Waco of Waymart. Additionally, they ratified grant submissions for trail development and park improvements, including a $1.6 million contract awarded to Woodok Construction for the Sernoski Park Improvement Project, which involves replacing aging park facilities with ADA-compliant structures. A contentious discussion occurred regarding a temporary appointment to the joint board of managers for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, focusing on governance, transparency, and conflict of interest concerns. The meeting also addressed environmental and community health concerns related to proposed data center projects in the county, with calls for a comprehensive cumulative health impact assessment. Overall, the meeting combined routine procurement approvals with significant community and environmental policy discussions.