County earmarks $500K for medical assistance program

LEWISTOWN -- In a move to enhance medical accessibility for its residents, the Mifflin County Commissioners approved a significant allocation of $581,393 for the Medical Assistance Transportation Program for 2023-24 at Thursday's meeting.

This allocation aims to ensure that residents, especially those without personal transportation, can access essential medical services without hindrance. The move signals the county's commitment to health and wellness, recognizing the vital role transportation plays in medical care.

The program will work closely with Call-A-Ride Service, solidifying an agreement for the same period to ensure seamless transportation services for those in need.

Following the allocation highlight, the Commissioners also greenlit substantial addendums to the State Food Purchase Program Contracts. An additional allocation of $1,187.80 will be distributed to each agency, strengthening the food security net within Mifflin County.

Housing Program Coordinator Melissa Stewart highlighted the agencies benefiting from this boost:

• Salvation Army: Receiving an increase from $3,669 to $4,856.80.

• Hand of Grace: Budget expanded from $19,394 to $20,581.80.

• Abuse Network: Funds growing from $5,000 to $6,187.80.

• Bible Baptist/New Life Church: Allocated funds increased from $6,814 to $8,001.80.

• Bible Baptist/New Life Church Soup Kitchen: Raised from $1,500.00 to $2,687.80.

• Calvary Bible Church: Budget augmented from $22,539 to $23,726.80.

• Lewistown VFW Post 7011: Enhanced from $2,500.00 to $3,687.80.

"We ended up getting a larger allocation from the state than last year," Stewart commented. "We had an agency who didn't want the funds because of the paperwork involved, so we evened our allocations to the other agencies listed."

In addition to these two prominent approvals, the Commissioners sanctioned several other key items during the meeting:

• Exoneration of 2023 county real estate tax bill for specific parcels: Parcel No. 16,10-100,020 located in Derry Township - parcel is exempt as a county repository property – $28.39, Parcel No. 16,43-0080 located in Derry Township - parcel is exempt as a county repository property – $86.74;

• Acceptance of the Pennsylvania FY 2023-2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant Agreement for the period July 1, 2023, through Oct. 30, 2024 – $5,595;

• Approval of the Hazardous Material Response Fund Grant Agreement with the Department of Homeland Security for the period Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2025 – $51,897;

• Authorization for the Southside Improvement CDBG Project changes: change Order No. 1 for G&R Charles Excavating, LTD. - decrease of $3,175 due to final bid item quantities, Certificate of Substantial Completion;

• Agreement with Juniata Valley YMCA for locker room renovations and equipment purchase – $62,000;

• Juvenile Probation Services Grant Agreement and Adult Probation Grant-in-Aid sanctioned for the period July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024 – $32,328;

• Opening of the Mifflin County Human Service Block Grant Account at Juniata Valley Bank;

• Agreement for the T-420 North Derry Avenue Bridge project in Derry Township;

* Approved Resolution No. 33 of 2023 authorizing the execution of the reimbursement agreement between Mifflin County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;

• Approved estimate from Treaster Valley Coatings, Milroy, for epoxy flake on the monument base – $4,500;

• CDBG-CV Funds authorization of the low quote for the purchase of air purifiers and filters for the Shelter Services -- Global Industrial $8,580;

• Designation of the Mifflin County Historical Society as the official historical society for Mifflin County;

* Approved Renewal quote with ESRI, Redlands, CA for GIS software maintenance fees for January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024 – $26,400;

• Approved Resolution No. 34 of 2023 on behalf of the Brown Township Supervisors approving budget revisions to the FFY 2022 CDBG Program;

• Approved a 10-year lease with Frank and Angela Pannizzo for premises located at 100 South Main Street, Reedsville, Office of District Judge Kent Smith commencing on Jan. 1, 2024 – first five years at $1,350 per month and second five years at $1,485 per month;

• Reappointed Allana Hartung and Kevin Kodish to the SEDA-COG Board of Directors and SEDA-COG Local Development Corporation for one-year terms;

• Appointed Margaret Zook, Reedsville, to fill an unexpired term on the Library Board- term expires Dec. 31, 2025;

* Approved the resignation of Courtney VanGorder from Probation Officer, effective Oct. 26;.

• Approved the hiring of Kyler York for Part-time Corrections Officer, effective Oct. 16;

• Approved the resignation of Children and Youth Caseworker Blaise Erzar, effective Nov. 1.