The Berks County Board of Commissioners convened Dec. 4 and approved the meeting agenda by voice vote. The board reviewed a set of consent‑agenda items that included a budget‑transfer resolution, procurement awards for a county steam‑plant decentralization project, multiple personnel actions, and several grant and insurance authorizations.

Agenda approval and procedural motions
Commissioner Santoni moved to approve the agenda as presented; the motion was seconded and the board voted by voice. The chair declared the motion carried.

Budget and procurement items
The chair introduced a resolution authorizing 2025 budget transfers totaling $100,000 and 2025 appropriations of $93,679 per the listing dated Nov. 28, 2025 (agenda language). The purchasing section of the agenda recommended four awards related to a Berks County steam‑plant decentralization project: a general construction contract to Erick Construction (Reading) not to exceed $539,009; plumbing to Burkhart Mechanical (Wyomissing) not to exceed $561,222; mechanical to Advanced Industrial Services Inc. (York) not to exceed $3,914,000; and electrical to Hernesian Electric (Reading) not to exceed $561,000. The agenda also noted a contract packet of 15 agreements and amendments across county departments to be authorized for execution.

Personnel and administrative authorizations
The board considered four personnel actions listed on the agenda: appointment of Haley Clark as buyer (effective Dec. 10, 2025); appointment of Ophelia Muniz as judicial coordinator (effective Dec. 10, 2025); promotion of Thomas Bellock to government accountant (effective Dec. 3, 2025); and a $70.50/day stipend for law clerk Sarah McAndrew (effective Dec. 5, 2025) for additional video‑related responsibilities previously performed by Hyo Jin Lee.

Commissioners’ resolutions and grants
The commissioners’ consent docket included multiple authorizations: an annual notification indicating the county’s intent to opt out of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) for 2026; attestation for the Office of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities for the human services block grant INE report and retained earnings; renewal applications for the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool (PCoRP) property and casualty program for 2026–27; authorization to execute an excess stop‑loss health insurance proposal with Avalon Insurance Company (per the county’s consultant recommendation); telework agreements for eligible paralegals; grant application authorizations for workforce and food‑purchase programs; reappointment to the Rolling Hills Landfill Advisory Council; and other routine grant and grant‑signature authorizations listed on the agenda.

AOT opt‑out recommendation explained
Pamela Siemens, identified on the agenda as the county’s mental‑health and developmental‑disabilities administrator, explained the staff recommendation to opt out of AOT for 2026. Siemens told the board that "AOT is an involuntary ... a simple commitment used for individuals with mental illness," and that successful local implementation has been limited; she noted Allegheny County plans to attempt AOT this year. Siemens said AOT would require additional judicial hearings, an assessment team, staffing and timelines, and that county staff expect those requirements to impose burdens without dedicated funding. She said the county will continue to rely on existing mobile and community‑based services while monitoring other counties’ experiences with AOT.

Accounting and finance reports
Deputy Treasurer Linda Weaver reported an opening balance of $230,046,380.51 and an available balance of $223,281,455.21 after items to clear. Controller Joe Rudrow reported accounts‑payable and payroll disbursements for the weeks ending Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, 2025.

Next steps and voting record
The transcript records a voice vote approving the meeting agenda; the transcript does not record separate roll‑call votes or final outcomes for each listed resolution and contract award. Where the meeting record does not show a vote or final action, the article indicates that the outcome is "not specified" in the transcript.

The board adjourned at the conclusion of the meeting.