County ‘moves’ forward with plan

Mifflin Moves to expand opportunities for ‘human-powered’ transportation

LEWISTOWN -- At Thursday's meeting, the Mifflin County Commissioners approved the Mifflin Moves Plan and will now accept sealed bids for the sale of the Green Avenue Extended building.

The Mifflin Moves Plan is a program funded by PennDOT where the county provides in-kind services but no actual dollars. The commissioners needed to approve the plan to be part of the program and complete projects from this.

"Moves is a plan that explores opportunities to improve safety and access, strengthen connections, and expand community amenities for walking, biking, buggies, and all forms of human-powered transportation," Commissioner Rob Postal said. "Recommendations give the county, local partners, and townships the policies, projects, and activities to make biking and walking safe for everyone."

The commissioners decided to accept sealed bids for the Green Avenue Extended building, which used to house the JVBDS offices, after the high bidder withdrew his bid and the second bidder did not continue with his offer.

When the sealed bids will be accepted hasn't been decided, but they will be advertised and open to the public at a later date.

Also, the Commissioners announced they are accepting applications for Act 13 Funds. The funds are for open space projects and came to the county via the Marcellus Shale drilling.

"The last time we had this was four years ago. We had an application process for municipalities to forward their projects. A scoring system was used to select the winners, and a similar system will be employed again," Commissioner Kevin Kodish said. "We'll get the formal dates announced in the coming weeks for the application period, and the municipalities can submit projects for consideration. We've had playgrounds and park projects done in the past, so we'll get that rolling again after a four-year absence."

In other news, the commissioners:

• Approved request for exoneration of 2023 county portion per capita taxes: Bratton Township Tax Collector Sharina Harshbarger for 7 properties; Granville Township Tax Collector Billi Weaver for 73 properties; Oliver Township Tax Collector Sherry Miller for 28 properties;

• Approved appointment of Stephanie Porch to the Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services Citizens Advisory Board-terms expire Dec. 31, 2025;

• Approved appointment of Mark Conner on the Solid Waste Authority to fill an unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31;

• Approved two-year Online Legal Research Subscription agreement with LexisNexis for Law Library for the period Aug. 1, through July 31, 2025-Year 1- $463/month, Year 2 – $487/month;

• Approved a three-year subscription agreement with LexisNexis for Microsoft Office with Document Tools for the period Sept. 1 through August 31, 2026 – Year 1- $622/month, Year 2 – $654/month, Year 3 – $687/month;

• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 to provide adult education and workforce services to the inmates at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility from July 1 through June 30, 2024 at $7,500;

• Promoted of Misty Horan from deputy coroner to chief deputy coroner, effective June 1;

• Hired Alan Kratzer for Deputy Coroner effective June 5;

• Hired Campbell Miller as part-time corrections officer, effective June 5;

• Hired Olivia Wingert as a Children and Youth Caseworker, effective June 19;

• Amended the hiring date of Emily Wert for part-time Corrections Officer from June 12, to June 19;

• Appointment of Rivver Cooper as an intern in the Sheriff's Department, effective July 3;

• Approved the resignation of probation officer Chantz Swartz, effective June 23;

• Hired Alan Sunderland as part-time 911 Telecommunicator effective June 19.