Board recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month

MIFFLINTOWN -- Thankful for the assistance provided, commissioners welcome Juniata County Children & Youth Services (CYS) employees to the regular meeting Tuesday to listen and speak as they issue a proclamation recognizing April as "Child Abuse Prevention Month."

The proclamation states, "Every day in Juniata County local children are at risk of child abuse neglect."

In 2019, 81 referrals of abuse were investigated and found that 16 incidents of abuse had occurred. In 2020, 90 referrals had resulted in finding 22 incidents of abuse had occurred and in 2021, 24 reports indicated that abuse had occurred after 128 referrals.

The proclamation continues, "Over the last three years child abuse reports have increased by 63% and victims of child abuse has increased 67%."

Jeff Moore, Intake Supervisor with CYS, spoke about the staff when he said, "We have a great bunch here."

Chairperson Alice Gray said to the group, "We are so thankful for you. Your jobs are not easy and have been more difficult the last couple years but you always come through with flying colors to get the job done well. We appreciate it."

In new business, the board adopted ordinance number 2022-1, establishing a Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) system by providing for a depository agency of the county's tax maps, including additions, deletions and revisions of such maps.

The system will also provide for the assignment by such agency of UPI for each parcel on the map in order to facilitate conveyancing and to establish a modern land records system.

A member of the records office was in attendance to reassure the public that the added layer to the system will not negatively affect them in any way.

When legislation was passed in the 1980s, neighboring counties adopted this added layer and now Juniata County is being brought 'up to date.' The additional layer will also create a new position in the county assessment office for a UPI coordinator.

In other business, the board of commissioners:

¯Adopted Resolution 2022-7 "Capital Projects Reimbursements."

¯Acknowledged Juniata County's final Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) allocation amount of $115,685 for fiscal year 2020 through 2021. MATP covers the Juniata County's Call-a-Ride Service.

¯Approved the "Purchase of Service Agreement" between Juniata County Children and Youth Services, the Juniata County Probation Department and White Deer Run LLC. The agreement will be in effect through June 30, 2022.

¯Approved payment of Juniata County Hazardous Material checks No. 1406 in the amount of $36.67 to Wex Bank and No. 1407 in the amount of $150 to Bucks County Community College.

¯Approved a contract between Juniata County and LexisNexis for legal reference subscription services through March 2025. The software and hardware will remain in the Juniata County Library for the purpose of providing patron access.

¯Approved the submission of the "County Intermediate Punishment Funds" grant application through June 2023.

¯Approved the fiscal year 2021 through 2022 "State Offender Supervision Fund Agreement" through June 30, 2022.

¯Reviewed the 2021 Probation and Parole Annual Report.

¯Approved the payments of checks No. 64107 through No. 64159 in the amount of $211,584.61 and checks No. 64160 through No. 64234 in the amount of $119,430.78.

The Salary Board also met for new business including:

¯Discussing the starting wage for a new office manager in the Juniata County Sheriff's Office.

¯Approving a change in the employment status for John W. Matter from part time telecommunicator to full time Communications Supervisor at the Juniata County 911 Center.

¯Approval of a compensation increase for the Director of Fiscal Management to $55,000 annually as additional duties will begin April 4.

¯Approving the hiring of Keith R. Mingle as part time employee in the Commissioners' Office at $14.87 hourly.