The session began with the adoption of Amendment No. 1 to the Memorandum of Agreement with Juniata Valley Tri-County Drug and Alcohol regarding opioid settlement funds. Commissioner Kevin Kodish explained the amendment accounts for additional settlement money awarded to Pennsylvania counties and includes a termination clause allowing both parties to end the agreement with 60 days’ notice.

Micaela Mills, fiscal officer for the Juniata Valley Tri-County Abuse Commission, delivered a detailed report on drug and alcohol services in the county. Mills highlighted the commission’s media campaigns to increase awareness and reduce stigma around substance use disorder treatment.

“For the fiscal year 2023 to 2024, the SCA has seen an increase of 24% of individuals assessed for treatment, 19% of individuals for case management, 19% referrals for probation and corrections, and 47% individuals for referrals for children and youth,” Mills reported.

The commission embedded drug and alcohol case managers in jail probation, children and youth services, the court system, and treatment providers. Mills emphasized the increased distribution of Narcan throughout the county, including newspaper-style distribution boxes and availability at the Food Pantry.

Submitted photo
The Mifflin County Commissioners recognized Pennsylvania 4-H Week (March 16-22) during Thursday’s meeting. Pictured are, from left, front, Amy Spickler, Commissioner Noah Wise, Hillary Ettinger, Amaris Fultz, Ava Kratzer, Paisley Beaver, Commissioner Kevin Kodish, Commissioner Robert Postal and Clarissa Beaver; back, Diane Griffith, Jami Glick and Helen Kirk.

When questioned about current drug trends by Commissioner Robert Postal, Mills confirmed methamphetamine and opiates remain the primary concerns, with their prevalence fluctuating month to month.

The commissioners recognized Pennsylvania 4-H Week (March 16-22) with a proclamation read by Commissioner Kodish. Amy Spickler, program coordinator for Mifflin and Juniata counties, reported 305 youth participants across 17 active clubs, with plans to reach 325 this year.

“We’ve formed two new clubs this year. One came off of our Vira Community Club, which meets on Freedom Avenue at the Southern church. It’s almost 60 members strong,” Spickler said.

She introduced 4-H member Amy Kratzer, who spoke about her nine years showing rabbits, goats, lambs, and poultry and how the program developed her leadership skills.

Commissioners also proclaimed March as American Red Cross Month. Gary Langsdale, a Red Cross volunteer and board member of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter, detailed the organization’s work in Mifflin County, including collecting 788 units of blood since July and serving 199 people through community preparedness and disaster relief programs.

“I’m not the guy who comes out in the middle of the night with a blanket after a fire. I’m the guy who calls the next day and says, ‘Okay, where do we go from here?'” Langsdale explained.

The board approved an application for a Victims of Crime Act grant for $59,870, covering the period from October 2025 through September 2026. Jamie Glick from Victim Services noted her office serves approximately 900 direct victims annually, though funding has decreased somewhat in recent years.

In housing and infrastructure matters, the commissioners accepted a $1 offer for a parcel in Lewistown Borough, currently in the repository for unsold properties. The new owner plans to renovate or raze the property, with expenses related to these actions justifying the minimal purchase price.

Planning Director James Lettiere presented an agreement with Guyer Brothers for $587,323 for the Juniata Terrace water main replacement project. The initiative will upgrade the current 4-inch water main to an 8-inch line extending approximately 3,600 linear feet from near the MCIDC industrial park along Roundhouse Road, under Norfolk Southern railroad lines, and uphill to the borough.

Lettiere noted the total contract amount for the CDBG competitive project is $921,380, with substantial completion expected within 120 days from notice to proceed.

The commissioners also approved a $66,790 engineering services agreement with the EADS Group for improvements to the YMCA pool ceiling and pool pack unit. The YMCA received a $600,000 Local Share

Account grant for the project, with work anticipated during summer 2026 to avoid disrupting the September-March swim season.

Two agreements related to the county’s HOME program received approval: a service agreement with AAA Electrical Inspections and a service proposal with Crider Mitchell Construction at $90 per hour. Lettiere reported three of five homes in the program have been inspected, with bidding expected to begin in April for at least two or three properties.

Commissioner Postal noted the breadth of projects handled by the Planning Department alone: “What we have done here today is approved a new water main going up to Juniata Terrace, we are working with the YMCA on their pool project, and we are working to rehabilitate homes.”

The board approved a request to exonerate a 2024 county real estate tax bill for a Granville Township property owned by a veteran with 100% service-related disability. The parcel received exempt status approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Veterans Affairs.

Personnel actions included promotions, new hires, and resignations from multiple departments:

– Madison Rishel’s promotion from Probation Officer I to Probation Officer II

– Hiring of Madison Price as Grants Liaison

– Cadence Stein as part-time Corrections Officer

– Rick Borman as Field Assessor

– Charlie Henry as Children and Youth Caseworker Supervisor

– Nathan Kleiner for TIP staff in the courts

– Appointment of Georgia Fake for an unpaid internship in the probation office

– June Morgan Morningstar’s retirement from the Conservation District fiscal assistant position

– Jerry Wagner’s resignation as Assistant District Attorney