Mifflin County commissioners approve grants, contracts, loan and personnel actions

The Mifflin County Board of Commissioners on March 3 approved a slate of financial and program actions, including grant acceptances, contract awards, a conditional revolving‑loan and several personnel moves.

The board accepted the treasurer’s report and authorized payment of accounts payable and payroll. Treasurer Diane Griffin summarized key totals: accounts payable of $669,964.87; payroll of $486,521.06; 911 expenses of $70,991; Children & Youth checks of $122,047.97; a Liquid Fuels check of $2,035 and a Liquid Fuels Act 89 EFT of $57.78; and a CDBG disbursement check of $298,422.93. Griffin reported the general account began the period with $1,254,948.55, recorded $945,351.62 in debits and closed at $1,043,729.24, with a reserve balance of $4,667,010.59. The board approved payment by voice vote.

The board approved an inmate‑housing agreement with Snyder County, effective March 20 through Dec. 31, 2026, at a charge of $75 per inmate per day. The chair said the agreement is a standing intercounty arrangement to provide bed capacity as needed; the agreement was approved by voice vote.

County staff and the commissioners also approved several grants and contracts. Melissa Stewart reported that Mifflin County received a DEP Food Recovery Infrastructure Program award of $7,641 (applied for in January 2025) to help Shelter Services buy refrigerators, freezers and other cold‑storage equipment so local shelters can accept and safely store donated food. The board moved to accept the grant and approved it by voice vote.

The board authorized a professional services agreement of $285,000 to begin engineering and design work on the Jack’s Creek Ridge bridge replacement project as part of the county’s program to replace structurally deficient bridges. Commissioners moved and approved the agreement by voice vote.

The commission ratified submission of a $92,000 Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grant application to support improvements to county historic courthouse facilities, authorizing county officials to execute documents if the grant is awarded.

On Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) matters, staff (Carol) explained related subrecipient agreements and contract revisions. The board approved two Lewistown Borough subrecipient agreements—FY2023 ($123,715) and FY2024 ($121,475)—to fund shared fire‑safety equipment (SCBA/related gear) for two stations that will share the units. The board also approved contract revisions moving some Armagh Township projects between fiscal years to align timing with PennDOT and to accelerate a public‑trail paving project that staff expects to complete by Sept. 30.

Separately, the board gave conditional approval to a county revolving‑loan of $84,463 to Unipar to purchase equipment at its Millroy location. County staff said the revolving‑loan fund holds about $160,000 and that the county relies on a council‑of‑governments partner to perform credit analysis; the recommended loan term is five years at a fixed 3% interest rate. The motion was approved pending final solicitor review and execution of loan documents.

Finally, the commission approved multiple personnel items by voice vote, including the promotion of Christophe Noble from part‑time to full‑time corrections officer, resignations of two case coordinators, and retirements of a corrections officer and a case leader.

Votes at a glance

• Accounts payable and payroll: approved (voice votes; roll call not recorded).
• Inmate housing agreement with Snyder County (03/20/2026–12/31/2026, $75/day): approved (voice vote).
• DEP Food Recovery Infrastructure Program grant acceptance ($7,641 to Shelter Services): approved (voice vote). — Melissa Stewart presented the grant details.
• Jack’s Creek Ridge engineering services ($285,000): approved (voice vote).
• Keystone Historic Preservation grant application ratification ($92,000): ratified (voice vote).
• Lewistown Borough CDBG subrecipient agreements (FY2023 $123,715; FY2024 $121,475): approved (voice votes).
• CDBG contract revisions for Armagh and Hartmore townships (timing/funding moves): approved (voice votes).
• Conditional revolving‑loan to Unipar ($84,463; recommended 5 years at 3%): approved pending solicitor review (voice vote).
• Personnel actions (promotion, resignations, retirements): approved (voice vote).

What’s next

The items approved that require further administrative steps include solicitor review and loan closing documents for the Unipar loan, and execution of grant documents if Keystone awards the county funding. Several capital projects (bridge engineering, CDBG projects) will move to procurement and design phases per staff timelines.