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Budget approved with tax increase

MIFFLINTOWN — Residents of Juniata County can expect a 5 mil increase in their real estate taxes in 2025.

Juniata County Commissioners adopted a final budget for 2025 during the board’s Tuesday meeting. The $33.67 million budget includes $9 million from taxes, $389,000 from interests, rents and royalties, $4.7 million in intergovernmental revenue, $4.2 million in charges for services, $1.5 million from miscellaneous revenues and $13.37 million in fund equity.

The 5 mil increase is conditional upon court approval.

The real estate tax rate for county purposes will be fixed at 30 mils on each dollar of assessed valuation, or the sum of $3 on each $100 of assessed valuation of property subject to taxation by the county. The board also levied a per capita tax on all persons subject to taxation for county purposes at a rate of $5, to be deposited in the general fund.

Also during the meeting, Lori Glace, district manager at the Juniata County Conservation District, was in attendance to seek approval for an updated Memorandum of Understanding signed between Juniata County County, Juniata County Conservation District, and Tri-County Planning Commission.

The existing Memorandum of Understanding for the Implementation of the Countywide Action Plans dated Nov. 10, 2022 between Tri County Regional Planning Commission and all parties to the MOU.

The updated version will extend the agreement past the specified date of June 30, 2024.

This grant provides funding to install conservation practices in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, specifically located in Dauphin, Perry, Juniata and Mifflin counties. The Juniata County Countywide Action Plan is a partnership between the Juniata County Planning Commission and the Juniata County Conservation District.

Previous work completed in Juniata County included stream restoration projects on East Licking Creek at the Port Royal Lions Club Park in 2023, on Lost Creek in 2024 and another project on Delaware Creek at the AMVETS in 2024.

“The overall grant award for Dauphin, Perry, Juniata and Mifflin Counties was announced last week and we were awarded $2.174 Million, which is still being planned for which projects to sponsor, awaiting a few additional grants that Juniata CCD applied for through DEP’s Growing Greener Program,” says Glace.

“Planned work for 2025 includes another stream restoration project on Lost Creek (upstream from 2024’s project) and wetland restoration work at the Port Royal Lions Club Park as well as some Agricultural Conservation Practices,” she adds.

Commissioners also took the following actions:

• Approved a professional services agreement with Mission Critical Partners for consulting and professional services at $54,862.20. The term of the agreement is for one year ending on Dec. 31, 2025. Costs associated with the agreement will be covered by 911 funding sources;

• Approved an amended purchase of service agreement between Juniata County Children and Youth Services and Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries to implement a Weekend Alternative Program at a daily per diem rate of $202.86 for a three-day billing. Transportation costs will be incurred by the county at the federal rate of up to $500 round trip per weekend. The agreement shall be in force and effect from July 1 through June 30, 2025 inclusive. The original agreement was approved on Sept.24;

• Approved the hiring of Sean Trent as a Juniata County Children and Youth Services caseworker effective Dec. 30. Trent replaces Jose Ruiz, who resigned Oct24 Salary and benefits will be as per the current bargaining unit contract.

• Approved the hiring of Sally Baublitz to fill the position of probation administrative specialist with the Juniata County Probation and Parole Department effective Dec. 20. Baublitz, who will replace Terrie Stoner, will be vacating her current position as a full-time deputy prothonotary with the Juniata County Prothonotary’s office. Wages and benefits will be as per the current bargaining unit contract;

• Approved the hiring of Steven Russell as the incoming county administrator/chief clerk effective Jan. 6, 2025 and established a starting salary. Russell, who will replace James Bahorik, will be vacating his position as deputy director of assessment and permit completion within the Juniata County assessment department. The salary for this position will be reevaluated in six months.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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