Mifflin County ’24 budget approved with no tax increase

About one-third of budget allocated to personnel

LEWISTOWN -- The Mifflin County Commissioners approved the 2024 budget at Thursday's public meeting. The new budget, totaling $37.47 million, comes with a significant feature: it does not include any tax increase for county residents.

The county budget allocation indicates that personnel costs remain the primary expenditure for the. Of the total budget, approximately $10.75 million, which is nearly 30%, is allocated for wages.

Additionally, about $5.125 million, nearly 15% of the budget, is designated for benefits. These figures represent the county's commitment to its employees, encompassing both their salaries and benefits.

Commissioner Mark Sunderland, during the budget discussions, emphasized the focus on maintaining the current tax levels. Sunderland is retiring at the end of the year and getting a tax-free budget passed was a goal of his in this last meeting.

"While formulating the budget, over everything else, our number one goal is always to provide a budget that doesn't increase the tax burden on our citizens," Sunderland said at the Dec. 1 meeting. "This is my final year as a commissioner, and I am happy to go out with another tax increase-free budget."

The 2024 budget also outlines the county's plans for significant capital projects. The Mifflin County Library and the Mifflin County Historic Courthouse are set for maintenance and renovations, representing the largest capital projects planned for the next few years.

These efforts indicate the county's investment in preserving and updating key public facilities.

Furthermore, the budget includes a $200,000 provision for additional long-term projects in the upcoming year. This includes an update of the County-wide Comprehensive Plan, demonstrating the county's proactive approach to strategic planning and development.

The adoption of the 2024 budget without a tax increase reflects the county's efforts to balance fiscal responsibilities with the needs of its citizens. The budget addresses both immediate operational costs and long-term investments, showcasing the county's commitment to its infrastructure, employees, and residents.

In other news, the Commissioners:

• Approved request for exoneration of 2023 county portion per capita taxes: Wayne Township Tax Collector Mary Ellen Reed-3, Brown Township Tax Collector Cheryl Hartzler-100, Newton Hamilton Borough Tax Collector Melody Kane-1, Bratton Township Tax Collector Sharina Harshbarger-10;

• Approved request for exoneration of 2023 county real estate tax bill and relieve the Tax Collector from collecting this bill: Parcel No. 16,20-0623 in Derry Township-parcel is exempt as a county repository property – $202.64;

• Approved Application for County Aid-2023 Allocations: Juniata Terrace Borough – $1,000, Kistler Borough – $1,000, Derry Township – $8,951, McVeytown Borough – $1,000;

• Approved $40,000 Liquid Fuels Funds for Maintenance on the Chestnut Street Bridge;

• Approved Purchase of Service Agreement with BMZ Law, P.C., Lewistown, PA, for County Solicitor for the period Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, at the monthly rate of $3,125;

• Approved Purchase of Service Agreement with Mark Remy, Esquire, from the Law Offices Knepp and Snook, as Prison Board Solicitor for the period Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, at a rate of $125 per hour;

• Approved Purchase of Service Agreement with Mark Remy, Esquire, from the Law Offices of Knepp and Snook, as Assistant District Attorney for the period Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, for a monthly sum of $2,833.34.

• Approved agreements for cleaning services with NuVisions Center, Lewistown, for Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024: Annex Building – $1,816.25 per month, Magisterial District Judge 58-3-01 – $246.23 per month, Historic Courthouse – $573.15 per month, Mifflin County Library – $552.03 per month;

• Approved Inmate Housing Agreement with Snyder County for Oct. 23, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2025;

• Approved SAVIN (Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification System) maintenance and service agreement with the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Institute-January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

• Approved Purchase of Service Agreement for use, if needed, by Children and Youth: Justin Miller, Esquire, Bellefonte, Pressley Ridge, Pittsburgh, Central Counties Youth Center, Bellefonte;

• Approved re-appointment of Valerie Postal and Cinda Welsh and appointment of Angela Price to the Juniata Valley Behavioral Developmental Services Advisory Board for three-year terms-terms expire Dec. 31, 2026;

• Approved the following personnel items:

• The retirement of Faith Geckle from janitor effective Dec. 31;

• The retirement of Lisa Poche from 911 Telecommunicator effective Jan. 6, 2024;

• The resignation of Peggy Dearing from Tipstaff effective Dec. 31;

• The resignation of Alina Reed from Children and Youth Solicitor effective Dec. 29;

• The hiring of Elise Hessek for Probation Officer effective Jan. 2, 2024;

• The hiring of Tammy Wagner for Tipstaff effective Jan. 3, 2024;

• The resignation of Emily Wert from Part-time Corrections Officer effective Dec. 14;

• Noelle Zimmerman and Emma Holinsky were appointed as interns in the Children and Youth Department effective Jan. 9, 2024;

• The resignation of Danielle Sheetz from Deputy Coroner, effective Dec. 19.