The Reader Beat: County Council Notes from October 6, 2026

Mary Ann McDanniels-Kulesa, spoke about elderly and disabled individuals in rural areas of the county having difficulty getting to appointments and spending long hours on The LIFT, Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority’s paratransit service. “I'm becoming concerned because I see the seniors in [Harborcreek Senior Living Apartments] are tired. They haven't been fed. They've been riding on the LIFT, some tell me, for six and seven hours,” McDanniels-Kulesa said.

I attended the County Council meeting on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. Constituent Kaitlynn King expressed concern over the Erie County Prison's healthcare contract and overtime hours. "According to the county's 2026 budget, Erie County is spending $4.5 million on inmate medical services through Armor. This is a significant taxpayer investment," King said. "Did the county examine prior lawsuits, settlements, judgments, regulatory issues, or contract performance concerns?"

King also addressed frequent overtime at the prison. "With 147 positions awarded and roughly only 110 filled as of April, the prison is operating at a 25 percent staffing vacancy for security positions." County Executive Vogel responded to this concern during her report. "I completely agree that it's not a sustainable situation to have so many people working overtime," she said. Vogel also said that Armor Health was the only company to bid for the prison's healthcare. "That was a contract that was signed before I was County Executive. My understanding is that was the only respondent to that request and that's why we ended up with Armor Health." 

Another constituent, Mary Ann McDanniels-Kulesa, spoke about elderly and disabled individuals in rural areas of the county having difficulty getting to appointments and spending long hours on The LIFT, Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority's paratransit service. "I'm becoming concerned because I see the seniors in [Harborcreek Senior Living Apartments] are tired. They haven't been fed. They've been riding on the LIFT, some tell me, for six and seven hours," McDanniels-Kulesa said. As a senior and disabled individual herself, McDanniels-Kulesa also stated that starting in August, she has been losing $200 of Social Security per month. Councilman Drexel addressed these concerns in his report. "Rural counties do not have the same public transportation options and that is a really big deal," he said. "There needs to be different pathways for rural communities to get around." 

The council addressed the following ordinances and resolutions: 

• An ordinance amending the Erie County Land and Subdivision Ordinance remained tabled. 
• An ordinance approving the waiver of bid requirements under the Purchasing Code and approval of sole vendor for a three-year contract for Westlaw Subscription for the Public Patron Access Plan for the Law Library passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance appropriating $99,914 from the Capital Projects Fund Budget for the creation of a new line item for the Courthouse Fire Pump Project passed unanimously.
• An ordinance appropriating $499,537 from the General Fund Budget for the creation of bureau and budget line items for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) VIP Boost Grant passed unanimously.
• An ordinance appropriating $12,500 from the Planning Fund Budget for the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program administrative fees and creation of new line items passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance transferring the offices and operations of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) to the Administration of Erie County passed unanimously.
• An ordinance appropriating $81,150 from the 2026 General Fund Budget for release of restricted automation fees in the Clerk of Courts had its first reading. 
• An ordinance appropriating $113,294 from the 2026 General Fund Budget for release of restricted automation fees in the Prothonotary had its first reading.
•  An ordinance appropriating $165,102 from the 2026 General Fund Budget for release of restricted automation fees in the Register of Wills had its first reading. 
• An ordinance appropriating $159,509 from the General Fund Budget for release of Restricted Record Improvement funds in the Recorder of Deeds had its first reading.
• An ordinance waiving bid requirements under the Purchasing Code and approving of a sole five-year vendor contract between Paperless Solutions, Inc. and the Erie County Recorder of Deeds had its first reading.
• A resolution to approve the cost of appraisals for a 7,340 square foot space within the Millcreek Township Community Center capping at $5,000 passed unanimously. 
• A resolution approving the expense of Act 13 Greenways funds passed unanimously. 
• The possible reappointment of Angela McNair to the Erie County Community College Board of Trustees passed unanimously. 
• The possible appointment of Jon O'Camb to the Northwestern Pennsylvania Job Connect Board passed unanimously.