Mifflin County commissioners approve series of grants, contracts and CDBG budget changes

Mifflin County commissioners on Feb. 3 approved a package of contracts, grant acceptances and budget reallocations that county staff said would fund local infrastructure, public-safety technology and social-service programs.

The board voted to accept Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget modifications and one revision affecting Armagh Township, Derry Township and Brown Township; to authorize contracts for 9-1-1 information‑sharing and voice-recording systems; to accept a federal Homeland Security grant; to submit state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) application forms for a courthouse restoration project; and to authorize settlement paperwork tied to the McKinsey opioid settlement.

The actions represent routine county business, county officials said, reallocating previously awarded federal and local funds and moving forward procurement and grant applications needed to begin construction, technology upgrades and contracted services.

Commissioners approved the CDBG items after a short public hearing led by Carol Carty Pye, project coordinator with the Center for Local Economic Development (CDECOG). Carty Pye said the requests included a budget modification for Armagh Township to move $77,673 from a demolition line into a new Milroy South Main Street ADA ramps and curb‑cut project; a revision to Derry Township’s fiscal‑year 2022 budget to shift funds into a senior center renovation after rebids returned higher than estimated; a second Armagh Township request to move $77,695 from a demolition line to a public‑trail improvements project; and a Brown Township modification moving $21,134 from owner‑occupied rehabilitation into Reedsville Park pavilion improvements. "The difference between a modification and a revision is that a modification actually initiates a new project and a revision is moving funds internally from one budget line to another," Carty Pye said.

On public‑safety technology, commissioners approved a 10‑year information‑sharing agreement with Axon Enterprises to allow secure transfer of recordings, video and other case‑related data between the 9‑1‑1 center, police agencies and the district attorney’s office. County staff described the contract at roughly $147,632 and said payments would be funded from 9‑1‑1 funds. The board also approved purchase of a replacement voice‑logging recorder for the 9‑1‑1 center at roughly $114,458.30; staff said the higher cost was partially due to project delays and that the purchase is part of a regional equipment effort shared among several counties.

The board accepted a Department of Homeland Security grant for $409,295 to support the South Central Mountains regional counter‑terrorism task force, which the county said funds training, planning, administration and equipment across an eight‑county region that includes Mifflin County.

Commissioners authorized submission of RACP application forms for phase 1 of the historic courthouse project seeking $1,652,000 in state assistance, and they approved paperwork to accept $11,885.60 tied to the McKinsey opioid settlement pending receipt of funds.

Other approved items included:

- A $30,000 legal services agreement with Karen Muir for public defender services funded by the county’s indigent defense grant; the board voted to approve the contract.

- A CDBG‑funded contract with Mid State Construction to proceed with Derry Township senior center renovations, including flooring and bathroom work; county engineer staff said insurance and bonding were cleared and a preconstruction meeting is scheduled.

- Purchase‑of‑service agreements for children and youth placements: Concern Professional Services (rates $67.31–$339.65 per day), Centre County Youth Service Bureau (rates $84–$260 per day) and New Life Adolescent Services (rate $416.06 per day); the board approved execution of these agreements.

- Continuation of medication‑assisted treatment services in the county jail with Positive Recovery Solutions; commissioners approved the agreement.

- Renewal of the Youth Level of Service assessment contract (charged at $4 per use) used by juvenile probation; the board approved renewal for 12 months.

- A public‑defender case‑management software agreement with a vendor for $14,700, and a $188 amendment to add two LexisNexis licenses, both funded from indigent defense grant dollars; both items were approved.

- Authorization of James Latier, planning director, as the county’s administrator for PennDOT’s Engineering and Construction Management System.

- Minor purchases and administrative items, including $383.76 from Act 13 funds for signage on phase 2 of the Juniata River Trail, and several personnel promotions, hires and resignations listed in the personnel report.

At an earlier point in the meeting commissioners acknowledged a $100,000 grant awarded from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to a local nursing‑school program that staff said supported simulation lab upgrades and helped the program expand enrollment. Stacy Osborne, identified as chief nursing officer of Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, thanked the board and said, "that money allowed us to help with that," referring to the simulation mannequins and infrastructure.

Votes were taken by voice for each item; minutes record unanimous voice approval on the motions where a roll call was not requested.

The board had few extended policy debates during the session; most items were presented by staff with questions limited to clarifications about funding sources, project scope and procurement timing. Several items discussed—CDBG allocations, the Axon contract, the voice recorder replacement and the RACP application—depend on subsequent implementation steps including preconstruction meetings, bid awards or final grant approvals.

The meeting adjourned after the personnel items and routine business were completed.