LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County Commissioners made progress on key infrastructure and human services during the board’s June 19 meeting, moving forward with a water meter replacement project in Wayne Township and renewing a slate of child welfare contracts.

The board also handled personnel matters and adjusted its agenda to delay decisions on a bridge project pending further review.

Commissioners approved a subrecipient agreement with Wayne Township for a water meter replacement project funded by the federal government. The township will use Community Development Block Grant funds to upgrade meters at several locations.

Grants liaison Madison Price, explained the township would relocate some existing meters and replace aging equipment to boost the accuracy of water readings and billing. Price said the move aims to help households track water usage and reduce billing errors.

Price emphasized the advantages of using CDBG funds. The grant allows Wayne Township to improve infrastructure without dipping into local tax revenue, freeing up funds for other needs–a significant development, as many municipalities face budget constraints.

The meeting continued with a review and approval of annual service agreements for Children and Youth, running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Administrator Nicole Patkalitsky outlined contracts covering a wide range of services for at-risk youth and families.

Centre County Children’s Advocacy Center will conduct forensic interviews at $450 per session. Evolution Counseling Services will provide crisis intervention and emergency support with hourly rates from $95 to $175.

Legal representation and guardian services fall to attorneys Robert Covell, Meagan Hopkins, Mark Remy, and Baxter & Kipphan, who will bill at $85 an hour. Wardell and Associates will deliver family preservation and independent living programs at rates ranging from $67.25 to $92.05 per hour.

The Tuscarora Intermediate Unit in Lewistown will manage several youth programs, including Communities That Care, Project Yes, Second Step, and Life Skills, funded with a $146,320 grant for the fiscal year. These programs offer outreach, prevention, and skills development for children and families throughout the county.

Patkalitsky explained the importance of maintaining these agreements to ensure children and families in crisis receive fast, effective support. Each provider has experience working with the county’s youth and demonstrates the ability to handle a variety of cases. Children and Youth vetted each provider for experience and capacity to deliver needed services on time.

The Commissioners approved requests to exonerate the county portion of 2025 per capita taxes for several townships and boroughs. Tax collectors Sherry Miller (Oliver Township), Herb Zook (Union Township), Bret Treaster (Derry Township), Mary Ellen Reed (Wayne Township), Crystal Heister (Armagh Township), Brooke Knable (McVeytown Borough) and Cheryl Hartzler (Brown Township) each submitted lists of uncollected taxes, totaling 286 exonerations.

Commissioners approved the hiring of Alexis Evans as a Children and Youth caseworker, effective June 23. The board also accepted the resignation and retirement of Dana Crosson, case coordinator II, in the District Judge’s Office, effective June 30.

The board amended its agenda by removing two Brown Township bridge items. Both the proposed resolution with PennDOT and an agreement amendment for the West Railroad Bridge need more review. Commissioners said they plan to revisit these items once more information becomes available.

During the meeting, county officials also reported on recent public engagement as part of an ongoing comprehensive planning process. Almost 800 residents completed a public survey about parks, infrastructure, neighborhood safety, and redevelopment.

An open house drew further feedback, with community members highlighting concerns about blight, transportation, and natural resource management. The Planning Commission intends to hold a public hearing in August and release a draft of the updated comprehensive plan in the fall.