Mifflin County commissioners approve $300,000 short-term loan, grant ratification and several routine contracts

MIFFLIN COUNTY, Pa. — The Mifflin County Board of Commissioners on a unanimous voice vote approved a short-term, interest-free $300,000 loan to the Burnham Borough Authority, ratified a modification to an indigent defense grant that adds year three funding of $418,403, and approved a series of other routine contracts and payments during the board’s regular meeting.

The loan to Burnham Borough Authority was described by Planning Director Jim Kerr as short-term “gap financing” to support headworks improvements at the borough’s wastewater treatment plant. Kerr said the authority previously received a $1,500,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority and plans to apply for a PENNVEST loan of about $6,000,000; total estimated construction costs for the project were stated as roughly $7,000,000. Kerr said the county’s $300,000 loan originates from the county improvement program, funded with American Rescue Plan Act money.

The commission also ratified a project modification request for the county’s indigent defense grant, adding a third year of funding of $418,403 to help furnish a new public defender’s office and to support additional personnel.

Other items approved or ratified by the board included: - A renewal agreement with Rochester Midland Corporation for courthouse and jail water-management services, term June 1 to May 31, 2026, at $4,750. - A five-year renewal of a master services agreement with Guard 1 (Ohio) for the prison guard tour tracking system at $2,995 per year. - A web program enrollment agreement with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania at $7,248 annually. - Payment application No. 6 for SE Construction Group related to the Austin Water Extension (storage tank) project, in the amount of $135,986.04; Madison Price, grants liaison, presented the application and said the contract was nearing completion. - A purchase-of-service agreement with Isaac Souda, assistant county detective, covering April 14 through Dec. 31, 2025. - Approval of four personnel items including hires and resignations in children and youth services, probation and veterans affairs.

A resolution to rescope funds awarded under a grant program was tabled pending solicitor review. The board also approved a request to refund a portion of county real estate tax for a parcel in Decatur Township after the house on the parcel was demolished.

Jim Kerr described the Burnham wastewater project as addressing infiltration and extraneous flows that have increased treatment costs and reduced facility efficiency. “The bureau was a recipient of $1,500,000 in grant funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for the construction and administrative cost of these improvements,” Kerr said, adding the authority plans further financing through PENNVEST and additional grants.

Grants liaison Madison Price summarized the SE Construction payment application, saying the water-storage tank contract originally priced at the stated contract amount had a remaining balance after the payment and that the project was nearing completion.

The meeting included proclamations for Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and Corrections Employee Week; commissioners accepted each proclamation and invited recipients for photos.

Votes at a glance - $300,000 loan to Burnham Borough Authority (motion approved; terms: 0% interest, lump-sum due Jan. 30, 2026). - Indigent defense grant modification, Year 3, $418,403 (ratified). - SE Construction Group payment application No. 6, $135,986.04 (approved). - Rochester Midland Corporation renewal for water management services, $4,750 (approved). - Guard 1 master services renewal, $2,995/yr, 5 years (approved). - County Commissioners Association web program enrollment, $7,248 (approved). - Purchase-of-service agreement with Isaac Souda (approved). - Refund of portion of county real estate tax for a Decatur Township parcel (approved). - Personnel items (4) including hirings and resignations (approved). - Resolution to rescope grant funds (tabled).

The board frequently handled these items as routine business; motions to approve were seconded and carried by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies.

Ending: The commissioners closed the meeting after the remaining consent items and personnel actions were approved; several items (including the rescoping resolution) were deferred for solicitor review.