MIFFLINTOWN — Juniata County Commissioners, Tuesday, approved an agreement between Juniata County on behalf of Juniata County Children and Youth Services (CYS) and Avanco International, Inc. This agreement will provide the opportunity for an upgrade and maintenance services to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System. The term of the agreement is Jan. 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024.

Ashley Baxter, director of Juniata County CYS, tells commissioners that Avanco is the CYS case management system that contains all of the service’s information, data and geographic information. The department of human services moderates this case management system and uses it statewide.

Commissioners also approved a purchase of service agreement between Juniata County CYS, the Juniata County Probation Department, and Three Rivers Adoption Council D/B/A TRAC Services Families. The contract shall be in force and effect from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

“We need the adoption services out there for permanency for kids whenever they are not able to be returned safely to their homes,” Baxter said. “It is a very important service that we need for the kids.”

Also, Baxter related to commissioners that Juniata County CYS will hire one more case worker and that any interested person may apply online or in person.

In other news commissioners …

• Approved the hiring of Mr. Jose Antonio Ruiz, Jr. as a Juniata County CYS caseworker effective Jan. 22, 2024 as recommended by Ashley J. Baxter, Children and Youth director. Mr. Ruiz replaces Keagen J. Wagner who resigned effective as of the end of business on Oct. 27, 2023. Salary and benefits will be as per the current bargaining unit contract.

• Approved the following letters of engagement to have Boyer & Ritter CPAs perform audit services for Juniata County covering the fiscal year that ended Dec. 31, 2023.

— County-wide audit at a cost of $54,150

— Department of Human Services (DHS) audit supplement at a cost of $6,550

— Additional major programs (if required) at a cost of $2,500 per program

• Approved payment of a Juniata County Hazardous Materials check in the amount of $1,923.86 to the Juniata County Commissioners Reimbursement.

• Approved the tax exonerations for Fayette and Turbett Townships and Port Royal Borough.

• Approved the CDBG-IDIS check as submitted by the Juniata County Planning and Community Development Department in the amount of $8,286.40 to Peters Consultants Inc. for project costs.

• Approved the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Certification of County Funds for the 2024 program year.

• Reviewed and approved of the December 2023 departmental reports, including the Change in Assessment Report as submitted by the Juniata County Assessment Office and the Children and Youth Statistical Report as submitted by CYS Director Ashley J. Baxter. Also, the Juniata County Probation’s Monthly Activities Report as submitted by Michelle A. Beaver, chief probation officer.

• Approved payment of checks in the amount of $164,602.46.

• Approved job classification changes and set annual wages for Adam Waite to be director of 911 Services and for William S. Hummel to be director of the Emergency Management Agency both effective and retroactive to Jan. 8, 2024.

• Approved hiring Mr. Allen D. Weaver as a causal, part-time employee with the County Commissioners Office at an hourly wage of $15.78 effective Jan. 16, 2024. This position is classified as part time at less than 1000 hours per year and, as such, does not qualify for any benefits including membership in the County’s Retirement Fund as outlined in the Juniata County Employees Retirement System Plan.