Clinton County Commissioners Approve Election Grants, Support Agreement for Domestic Relations Funding

By Emily Wright 

LOCK HAVEN— At their meeting on Thursday, August 7, 2025, the Clinton County Commissioners approved key funding items aimed at strengthening local election operations and continuing federal support for the county’s Domestic Relations Office. The board voted to approve an application for a $116,035.39 Election Integrity Grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) in addition to approving a separate application for Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding, which will be used to purchase new provisional ballot envelopes. A Title IV-D Cooperative Agreement to support the administration of child and spousal support services in the county was also approved during the meeting. 

The Act 88 Election Integrity Grant provides state funding to support county-level election operations, with an emphasis on transparency, security, and efficiency. Under Act 88, counties are prohibited from accepting private donations for election-related costs and instead offers public funds for eligible uses, such as ballot printing, poll worker compensation and training, election staff expenses, voter registration processing, and the secure handling, transportation, and storage of election materials.

To qualify for the grant, counties must meet strict requirements—such as starting the pre-canvassing of mail-in and absentee ballots at 7:00 a.m. on Election Day and continuing the tabulation without interruption. They must also publicly post the number of ballots received by midnight on Election Night and submit detailed post-election reports.

This funding helps reduce the financial burden of running secure and accessible elections while ensuring compliance with state regulations.

The board also approved a second election-related grant at Thursday’s meeting. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) provides funding to states to strengthen election security and improve the overall administration of elections. Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of State introduced redesigned provisional ballot envelopes aimed at reducing ballot rejections and ensuring that more eligible votes are counted. To support the transition, the Department is offering grant funding to offset the cost of the new envelopes. The commissioners voted unanimously to apply for $500 in HAVA funds to cover the purchase of the updated envelopes. 

In other business, the board unanimously approved a 2025–2030 Title IV-D Cooperative Agreement between the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), the Clinton County Commissioners, and the Clinton County Courts. The agreement enables the county to receive federal reimbursement for two-thirds of the expenses related to operating the Child and Spousal Support Programs through the Clinton County Domestic Relations Office. 

During Monday’s commissioners meeting, Domestic Relations Director Greg Strouse presented the agreement, explaining that the five-year contract outlines the county’s continued participation in the Title IV-D Program, a state-federal partnership focused on delivering Child Support services. In Pennsylvania, the program also covers spousal support.

“Essentially, it’s the two thirds funding of our office’s operations that’s run through the general fund upon reimbursement by the state,” Strouse explained.  

The Cooperative Agreement was pre-negotiated by the Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, chief court administrators from across the state, and DHS officials. 

Strouse noted that the agreement will require electronic signatures from the county commissioners and President Judge Craig P. Miller to maintain funding eligibility over the next five years, assuming the Domestic Relations Office continues to meet performance benchmarks.

At the close of Thursday’s meeting, County Voter Registrar Maria Boileau announced that the America250PA Mobile Unit will be coming to Clinton County during the annual Labor Day Regatta. The Unit will be stationed in the Clinton County Courthouse parking lot from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, and Monday, September 1, 2025.

The mobile unit is part of a statewide initiative celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States and Pennsylvania’s historic role in the nation’s founding. Powered by Penske, this custom-designed experience on wheels brings the Semiquincentennial celebration directly to communities across the Commonwealth.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of interactive and educational attractions, including games like Pennsylvania Pursuit and Keystone Quest, and storytelling activities such as The Commonwealth Chronicles, all designed to engage Pennsylvanians of all ages in reflecting on the state’s past, present, and future.

The experience also features a “swag wheel,” giveaways, photo opportunities, and the chance to share your personal story at The Commonwealth Chronicles booth. Participants who share their stories will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a trip to Philadelphia on July 4, 2026, including two tickets to America250PA’s Semiquincentennial celebration, one-night hotel accommodations, and two VIP tickets to the FIFA World Cup match taking place the same day.

Boileau noted that volunteers are still needed to assist with the mobile unit during its two-day visit. Those interested can sign up through America250PA’s website by visiting www.america250pa.org/Mobile_Unit, or search “Clinton County America250PA” on Facebook. 

The next Clinton County Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Meetings are held in person in the second-floor conference room of the Piper Building, located at 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven. Meetings are also live streamed on the “Clinton County Government” Facebook page.