<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2kwZ9G_0wFdWGBd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2kwZ9G_0wFdWGBd00" width="1569" height="1045" ><figcaption>A home available for sale is shown on May 22, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>NORRISTOWN — A more than $104,000 consulting contract to support affordable housing initiatives in Montgomery County was authorized by Montgomery County Commissioners.The $104,170 agreement with Witt O’Brien’s LLC., of Houston, Texas, was slated to aid the county’s First Time Home Buyers program, designed to “engage more first-time homebuyers to increase successful closings for moderate and at or below median-income households,” the contract states.Services stipulated the consultant’s scope of responsibilities, which included examining the current residential market and obstacles for first time homeowners, analyzing the current program, identifying what government and nonprofit agencies are doing, and recommending “best practices that meet the needs of Montgomery County to integrate effectively into the County’s existing FTHB framework and produce a new FTHB policy and procedure manual.”The one-year contract, covered by federal COVID-19 relief dollars, listed an opportunity to renew for another year “based on ability of funding.”The Texas firm was one of five respondents to a previously advertised request for proposals. Other entities included Dream Big Ventures, LLC, of Houston, Healthy Real Estate &amp; Associates, and Jewell and Company Realty Inc., both of Wilmington, Delaware, and Morph Mentoring, of Holmdel, New Jersey.The six-figure agreement was included in more than $1.19 million in funding authorized by officials during a board meeting earlier this month. The unanimous vote taken during the meeting held in Montgomery Township approved an 18-item package that furthered initiatives in several county departments, including Assets and Infrastructure, the District Attorney, Health and Human Services, the Planning Commission, Public Safety, and the Sheriff’s Office.Contracts included $141,395 more for a previously approved contract between the county’s assets and infrastructure department and Erdman Anthony Associates Inc., of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County.The original agreement covered “environmental studies, preliminary engineering, final design, and construction” for the reconstruction project of a county-owned bridge along West Valley Green Road in Whitemarsh Township, according to the contract. The added funds provided for the “additional coordination services necessary for approvals to be obtained and memorandums of understanding to be completed for modifications required due to the historic nature of the structure,” the contract states.Funding was obtained through the county’s capital improvement program, “with reimbursement of 95 percent,” per the contract, which had a revised value of roughly $670,324.A $134,145 agreement with Whitmoyer Auto Group of Mt. Joy, Lancaster County, covered two 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicles were made available through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program and funds were obtained by way of the county’s capital improvement program, according to the contract. The vehicles are expected to be used for “court orders and inmate extradition.”Additionally, a $107,000 software services agreement with Computer Square Inc., of Keasbey, New Jersey, procured the Infoshare Victim Witness Suite software platform for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.“The Victim Witness Notification suite is essential to the efficient operations of the Victim Witness Unit for both the adult and juvenile divisions in the District Attorney’s Office,” the contract states.The contract was covered by funds from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Rights and Services Act and Victims of Juvenile Offenders grant, according to the contract.Additionally, a $40,875 agreement with the OPEX Corporation, of Moorestown, New Jersey, provided “ballot extraction equipment support.” The one-year coverage specified “support and maintenance coverage for the ballot extraction equipment used during elections. Services and support were provided through a NASPO ValuePoint cooperative contract. Funding was obtained through the county’s general-operational budget.The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Oct. 24 on the eighth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St. in Norristown. Those interested in attending can also do so virtually. Visit montgomerycountypa.gov for more information.</div></body>

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Montgomery County approves contract for first time homebuyer assistance

NORRISTOWN — A more than $104,000 consulting contract to support affordable housing initiatives in Montgomery County was authorized by Montgomery County Commissioners. The $104,170 agreement with Witt O’Brien’s LLC., of Houston, Texas, was slated to aid the county’s First Time Home Buyers program, designed to “engage more first-time homebuyers to increase successful closings for moderate and at or below median-income households,” the contract states.