Clinton County Commissioners Consider Driving Instruction Program for Youth and Emergency Communications Agreements

Publisher3 minutes agoLast Updated: February 24, 2025

2 minutes read

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN— At their regular work session held on Monday, February 24, 2025, the Clinton County commissioners heard key proposals aimed at enhancing services from the Clinton County Children and Youth (CYS) agency and the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services (DES). Among the highlights was a presentation concerning a $12,000 contract with Goodwill Industries, designed to provide driving instruction to youths under the care of CYS.

Autumn Bower, Director of the Clinton County Children and Youth Services Agency (CYS), presented information to the board about a contract with Goodwill Industries that is designed to provide driving instruction to youths under the care of CYS.

Autumn Bower, Director of the CYS, outlined the terms of the contract, which ensures at least six hours of driving instruction per participant at a cost of $64.22 each to the county. Commissioner Jeff Snyder inquired about the selection criteria and eligibility for youth interested in participating in the program and whether there was a cap on the number of participants. Bower explained that the initiative is for youths currently in CYS custody, and the total budget allows for some flexibility to support additional participants. The agency may consider expanding this budget in the future, depending on demand.

Driving instruction participants are required to undergo an evaluation before beginning their driving sessions and receive a minimum of six instructional hours and additional instruction time provided if needed. Should the commissioners approve the proposal during their voting session on Thursday, Goodwill Industries will supply the necessary vehicle, along with insurance and liability coverage.

Jonathon Plessinger, Director of the Clinton County Dept. of Emergency Services (DES), presented two agreements regarding communication coverage for the commissioners’ consideration.

In other news, Jonathon Plessinger, Director of the Clinton County DES, presented two agreements for the commissioners’ consideration. The first is a sublease for tower radio equipment, enabling the county to utilize space on towers in Centre and Lycoming counties to enhance communication coverage. The second is a perpetual, cost-free license agreement with the Pennsylvania State Police that permits the county’s existing equipment to remain on state-owned tower sites.

Plessinger also mentioned a staffing shortage at the DES, with three full-time dispatcher positions currently vacant. He announced that the department will be holding a hiring event for anyone interested in filling the vacancies on Monday, March 10, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the DES building, located at 311 Frederick Street in Flemington.

The commissioners will hold their voting session on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Meetings are held in person at the Piper Building in the second-floor conference room, located at 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven, and they are also available via live stream by visiting the “Clinton County Government” Facebook page.