JC Commissioners recognize EJHS club

Officials adopt tax collection resolution

MIFFLINTOWN -- Juniata Commissioners recognized members of the East Juniata High School Christian Fellowship Club during their weekly meeting Tuesday morning.

"Today we would like to recognize Rebekah Ehrisman, Kolten Martin, and Cole Brubaker, for their leadership within this group," said Juniata County Prevention Board Representative Robin White.

This recognition is part of the Juniata County Youth Spotlight program coordinated by the Juniata County Prevention Board.

"These students meet biweekly before school to pray for one another, their peers and their teachers. They also have a deep devotion impediment to encourage them to be examples of Christian love, kindness and generosity in their school and community. They've participated in service projects such as packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child and collecting cans of soup for The Bread of Life outreach in Newport and Thompsontown," White said.

Other students that were honored but not present at the meeting include Jasmine Arnold, Danika Lucas, Shirley Symmerman, Owen Dressler, Aaron Kanagy and Addison Benner.

Commissioners also adopted a joint resolution between the Susquehanna Township Board of Supervisors and the Juniata County Commissioners. This resolution authorized the Juniata County Treasurer to temporarily collect the county and township taxes as levied by Susquehanna Township Board of Supervisors.

Laurie Hower of the Juniata County Treasurer's office told commissioners this resolution means her office will be the tax collector for the first six months of 2024.

"Our office will be distributing bills, collecting taxes as well as doing certifications and whatever else is needed," Hower said. "We are taking a tax collector certification course, so we will be certified!"

The Juniata County Treasurer's office will send a cover letter with the tax bills in the near future and provide the public with the tax hours. This office will also inform the public when and where they can take their tax forms.

In other business, commissioners also ...

•Approved an agreement between Juniata County and Vision Government Solutions, Inc. for services related to the implementation of a reassessment program.

•Approved the following Purchase of Service Agreements between Juniata County Children and Youth Services, the Juniata County Probation Department, and the entities listed. Unless otherwise noted, the agreements shall be in force and effect from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

– George Junior Republic of Pennsylvania

– White Deer Run, LLC. dba Cove Prep

•Approved payment of Juniata County Hazardous Materials check in the amount of $70 to Casner's Service Center Repairs.

•Approved the tax exonerations for Delaware, Fermanagh, Spruce Hill, Susquehanna, Turbett, and Walker Townships and Thompsontown Borough as per the material provided.

•Approved the Home Housing Rehab Project check in the amount of $4,590 as submitted by the Juniata County Planning and Community Development Department to JDS Construction for project costs.

•Approved the CDBG-IDIS check to Seda-Cog in the amount of $28,500 as submitted by the Juniata County Planning and Community Development Department.

•Approved the use of the County Records Improvement Fund to purchase Juniata County Sheriff's Office vehicle equipment upgrades at a total cost of $4,349.46 as requested by Sheriff Joshua Stimeling.

•Approved payment of checks in the amount of $237,194.19.

•Approved an ESINet Monitoring Microwave Maintenance Agreement between Juniata County and ComPros, Inc. effective January 1, 2024 as recommended by Adam Waite, Director of 911 Services. The agreement establishes services costs for a period of five years from 2024 through 2028 at a total cost of $176,065. Costs are to be covered through 911 funding.

•Approved the hiring of Rayona Boyer and Elizabeth Sheaffer as secretaries within Magisterial District Judge Tracy L. Powell's office. These individuals will replace Mary A. Speece who resigned on Dec. 8, 2023 and Shelly M. Haines who resigned on Dec. 8, 2023. Wages and benefits will be as per the current bargaining unit contract.