Rescue Plan Act funding gets OK

LEWISTOWN -- Mifflin County Commissioners on Thursday announced their plans for distributing $8.9 million received by the county under the American Rescue Plan Act.

The federal legislation provides $360 billion to establish a state and local fiscal recovery fund to allow for local units of government, including townships, boroughs and counties, to receive relief from the Covid-19 pandemic, with a goal of enabling local governments to lay the foundation for a strong economic recovery.

The funding allowed the flexibility to the Mifflin County Commissioners to hold a pre-application process through June 30 to accept applications from municipalities, municipal authorities, broadband providers and non-profit agencies for the use of the funds. In total, the County received 67 requests for the use of the funds totaling over $32 million.

Generally, the commissioners considered the following principals:

• Protecting existing and future citizens from increased property taxes, capital projects and deferred maintenance projects were identified and financed in lieu of borrowing and incurring debt;

• Addressing costs associated with the COVID pandemic and the prevention of future pandemic effects;

• Whether or not there were other funds besides ARPA that could be used or whether the ARPA funds are used in conjunction with other funds;

• Support volunteer fire departments and first responders that protect the citizens in their communities, and workforce and human services of the county affected by the pandemic; and

• Initiate a capital improvement fund, making no interest loans available for needed infrastructure and capital projects, thereby reusing the funds for future countywide projects.

In the plan revealed Tuesday, the largest chunk of the money will go toward capital improvement and infrastructure projects -- nearly $4 million of the total. Among those are water and sewer projects in Armagh and Brown townships, Burnham and Lewistown boroughs, and a county-wide water extension. Also receiving funds is the Mifflin County Industrial Development Corp. for demolition of a building.

The next largest area of spending -- just shy of $3.3 million -- goes to public safety. Most of that -- $2.6 million -- will be used for an updated HVAC system and other improvements at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility. Local volunteer fire companies also are slated to receive more than half a million dollars for equipment.

Nearly $1 million will be invested in education and workforce, including Geisinger School of Nursing, Mifflin County Library, The Academy and Mifflin County Wireless, along with upgrades to county systems.

Other recipients include the Juniata Valley YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, One Dog at a Time, the county coroner's office and other county spending.

Also at the meeting, commissioners:

• Welcomed Lisa Bollinger of Juniata Valley Behavioral and Development Services while proclaiming October as National Disability Awareness Month.

• Were updated by Director of Elections Paula Hoffman regarding readiness for the general election in November. The last day to register to vote, or change political affiliation, this year is Oct. 24. Requests for mail ballots must be received by Nov. 1.

• Approved budget modifications to the Fiscal Year 2021 Community Development Block Grant program.

• Restated a Fair Housing Policy for Mifflin County and on behalf of the Armagh, Brown, Derry and Granville Township Supervisors and the Lewistown Borough Council.

• Approved a request for exoneration of taxes for Wayne Township, and removed a mobile home in Granville Township from the tax rolls.

• Approved an agreement with the Juniata Valley Tri-County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission for Coordination of Services for the period Sept. 30, 2022, through Sept. 29, 2023, in an amount of $38,761.

• Approved Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Agreements with Calvary Bible Church, Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, the VFW post and Salvation Army, all in Lewistown.

• Approved an Amendment One to the Cooperation Agreement for Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation with Brown Township for a bridge on West Railroad Street not to exceed $588,000.

• Approved an agreement with Nittany Building Specialties Inc., Port Matilda, to demolish and dispose of existing carpet and base trim and supply and install LVT and base trim in the Courthouse common areas for $95,990.

• Approved an agreement with Carrier Corp., Harrisburg, for the chiller at the prison for $90,518.

• Approved a Sub-Grantee Agreement with Kristen Price to provide grant writing service for the period Oct. 1 through Nov. 5 at the rate of $25 per hour.

• Approved a Keystone Grant Agreement with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to end on Sept. 30, 2024, for the Historic Courthouse, for $25,000.

• Accepted a proposal from J-Way Architectural, Summerhill, for the Mifflin County Historic Courthouse Capital Improvement Plan for $52,300.

• Approved reappointment of Mary Ann Demi and Mary Ann Stratton and the appointment of Roxanne Garret to the Mifflin County Library Board for three-year terms.

• Accepted the resignation of Jessica Rogers from Children and Youth Fiscal Supervisor effective Sept. 30.

• Approved hiring of Probation Officer Kristen Neavling effective Oct. 3.

• Accepted the resignation of Tax Services Clerk Amy Spickler effective Oct. 11.