County commissioners approve Geisinger bond issue request

March made ‘American Red Cross Month’

LEWISTOWN -- The Mifflin County Commissioners on Thursday approved a resolution in support of a finance plan by the Geisinger Authority, which is seeking a bond issue not to exceed $850 million later in the spring.

During a brief public hearing prior to the vote, David Cutright, Geisinger's director of treasury operations, said the authority is required to seek approval from each of the 15 counties Geisinger serves in order for the bond issue to proceed.

"The authority would be the issuer of the bonds," Cutright said. "The sole obligation will be Geisinger Health. The county will not be responsible. Residents will not be obligated to pay principal or interest on the bonds."

Cutright said the bond issue is being sought to for two purposes: $285 million in new debt for new equipment and projects, and the remainder for possible refinancing of existing debt should the market be favorable at the time of the bond issue.

"The issuance is anticipated to take place in late spring with a maturity date of 30 years," Cutright added.

Also on hand Thursday was Kirk Thomas, vice president of clinical operations at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital, who noted that since the 2013 merger with Geisinger, millions of dollars have been invested locally, including recent renovations of the emergency department, Big Valley Medical Center and upgrades of the facility's IT system.

Thomas said the facility also recently installed a larger MRI system, is currently undergoing renovations at the Endoscopy Center and in the near future will be relocating the cardiology office from Burnham to the fourth floor of the hospital.

"Geisinger has been investing in this community continuously since the merger," Thomas said.

Following approval of the resolution, Cutright thanked the commissioners for their support and said he believes this is a good partnership between the facility and the community.

"I'd like to thank you for investing in our community," Commissioner Kevin Kodish said in response.

In other business Thursday, the commissioners adopted a proclamation designating March as "American Red Cross Month," which recognizes the many volunteers and donors who give their time and resources to help those in the community.

"These heroes help families find shelter after a home fire," Commissioner Lisa Nancollas read from the proclamation. "They give blood to help trauma victims and cancer patients. They deliver comfort items to military members in the hospital. They use their life-saving skills to save someone from a heart attack, drowning or choking. They enable children around the globe to be vaccinated against measles and rubella."

On hand to accept the proclamation was Stephanie Fost, executive director of the Mid-Central Pennsylvania Red Cross, who said she would not be able to do her job without the numerous volunteers who work with the organization on a daily basis.

In other business Thursday, the commissioners:

¯ Approved recommendations for the use of the county's 2017 Marcellus Legacy Fund projects, which include equipment at the Reedsville Playground in the amount of $10,000, Kish Park electrical upgrades in the amount of $10,300, replacement of pavilion roofs at Rec Park in the amount of $3,900, and partial funding for new bleachers in Burnham and a streetscape project in Juniata Terrace pending those municipalities agreeing to provide the rest of the funding.

¯ Approved a proposal from Nittany Engineering & Associates of Centre Hall to provide plans and contract documents for required repairs to the county-owned Barefoot Road Bridge in Armagh Township for a fee of $13,000 to $16,000 plus reimbursable expenses. Commissioner Stephen Dunkle said he would support this measure, however, in the future, he believes the municipalities in which structurally unsound bridges reside should be financially responsible for repair. "I don't believe the county should be in the bridge business," he said.

¯ Approved a request for qualifications from Affordable Services of Pittsburgh, a lead-based inspector/risk assessor, to provide asbestos and radon testing services for approved Community Development Block Grant funded housing rehabilitation projects. Doug Marks, housing rehab specialist, said lead-based paint inspections have been going on for years, however, new state regulations also require asbestos and radon testing in homes built prior to 1978.

¯ Approved a request to use $3,500 in Act 13 funding for landscaping at the new boat launch near McVeytown.

¯ Approved an ordinance authorizing the execution and entry into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement between the county and Brown, Derry and Granville townships, and Lewistown Borough, for the county to administer projects covered by the Community Development Block Grant program.

¯ Ratified the collective bargaining agreement with USW Local 1940-04 for the years 2017-20.

¯ Approved a service agreement with CSE-Mills of Mifflintown for servicing an eight inch valve in the sewer pit at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility at a cost of $600 per year.

¯ Approved the hiring of Theresa Bottorf as a part-time cook at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility effective March 6.

¯ Approved the hiring of Dana Aurand as Children & Youth administrator effective April 3.

¯ Accepted the resignation of Catherine Wolfkiel as a hearing officer in Domestic Relations effective March 2.

¯ Accepted the resignation of Trey McCloskey as a probation officer effective March 17.