Berks County adopts AI policy, awards uniform contracts

The Berks County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, July 2, 2026, online via Microsoft Teams Town Hall, with all three commissioners present: Chair Christian Y. Leinbach, Vice Chair Michael S. Rivera, and Dante Santoni Jr. The meeting adjourned at 11:01 a.m.

The county now has an official AI policy

The board adopted an Artificial Intelligence Policy, new Section 11.12 of the county's Human Resources Policy and Procedure Manual, effective immediately. That makes Berks one of the Pennsylvania counties formally setting rules for how employees can and cannot use AI tools on the job. The minutes do not include the policy text. Residents deserve to see it, and we will link it when it is published.

$206,000 a year for county uniforms

Three one-year uniform contracts were awarded through competitive bidding, totaling an estimated $206,315 per year:

Vendor	Location	Est. annual cost
A1 Uniform City	Camden, NJ	$116,595
McDonald Uniform	Philadelphia	$58,314
Uniform Outfitters	Erie, PA	$31,405

None of the three winning bidders is based in Berks County. Prices are locked for six months with capped increases for the second six, and the county can extend up to two more years.

Money and hiring

• Budget housekeeping: $210,500 shifted between budget lines and $11,990 in new appropriations.
• New judicial coordinator in Court Administration at $49,200 a year, a replacement rather than a new position.
• Promotion in Purchasing: Stephanie Kofke to Deputy Director of Contracts and Procurement at $93,000 a year.
• Temp help for tax claims: a temporary information research clerk, up to $35.63 an hour through September 4, to handle an increase in notifications required under Pennsylvania's Real Estate Tax Sale Law. That workload signal suggests more Berks properties are moving through the delinquent-tax pipeline.
• Public defender bonuses: a new sign-on and retention bonus policy for management staff in the Public Defender's office, funded entirely by a state grant. Public defense hiring is hard everywhere; this is the county's workaround.

Also approved

• Bridge weight limits: the county will advertise a proposed ordinance (02-2026) setting maximum vehicle weights on county-owned bridges, with fines for violations. A vote comes at a later meeting.
• Forensic science grant: an application for state funding under the National Forensic Science Improvement Act for the District Attorney's forensic science and opioid-fighting work.
• $300,000 farm loan: financing approved for Benjamin and Emily Boltz of Windsor Township through the Next Generation Farmer Loan Program, which helps younger farmers buy land and equipment.
• Grad school for caseworkers: two Children & Youth Services employees will attend a University of Pittsburgh graduate social work program under the state's Child Welfare Education for Leadership program.
• Human services funding: the FY 2026/27 Human Services Block Grant for mental health and developmental disabilities programs, after a June 25 public hearing that drew no comments.

One transparency note: Commissioner Rivera declared a conflict of interest and abstained on item #9 of the contract listing. The minutes do not say what that contract was; identifying it requires requesting the contract agenda.

Public comment: ICE cooperation

Lisa Gallagher of Spring Township submitted an online comment sharing concerns about county cooperation with ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Under the board's comment policy, comments are read into the record without commissioner responses. Pastor Evelyn Morrison of Reading also spoke, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Community notes

Commissioners flagged the Berks County Fair opening July 8 in Leesport, the Book Bonanza sale starting July 8, FIFA World Cup Fan Zone events in the region, and Muhlenberg Township Special Olympian Kylah Schlott's gold and bronze medals at the USA Games. The board recognized the passing of Joel Bonilla, a deputy investigator in the Coroner's office. An executive session on litigation was held July 1.

Next meeting: Thursday, July 9 at 10 a.m., where the big item is a step toward buying 600 Penn Street. Read the preview.