MIFFLINTOWN — The Juniata County Commissioners addressed transparency concerns at Tuesday’s meeting with an amendment to the July 1 meeting minutes that had omitted public comments on the Sheriff Department’s involvement with ICE.

“It was never intentional that those things weren’t included with the July 1 meeting,” said Commissioner Alice Gray. “Overall, it was an oversight. We do apologize for that and want to bring it up today to make sure everyone understands.”

The following comments were added to the amended meeting minutes: Randy Foose shared concern regarding the Sheriff’s agreement with ICE and its “constitutional red flags;” Hannah Smith-Brubaker spoke of her concern for the wellbeing of the immigrant population and agriculture due to the Sheriff’s agreement with ICE; Dave Suplee and Christine Mary both commented on the Sheriff’s agreement with ICE as well; Angela Brubaker spoke on immigration and ICE; Lorrie Guillory brought up immigrants’ rights; and Spencer McLaughlin shared his concerns on the Sheriff’s agreement with ICE as well as parking concerns at the library.

Gray shared that the comments had been “really appreciated” by the Commissioners.

McLaughlin was present at Tuesday’s meeting and once again shared his thoughts saying he “appreciate(d) (the Commissioners) amending and adding that additional information.”

However, while having the platform to speak, McLaughlin raised the question of the Sheriff’s letter that had been sent out stating that the involvement with ICE had been a “recently approved agreement” despite there still having been no vote or movement from the Commissioners.

Gray had mentioned that the Commissioners “most often do approve contracts that were signed,” but that they “don’t know what kind of contract was signed.” However, she said that she has seen the letter that had been sent out by the Sheriff to Juniata residents.

Commissioner Mark Partner suggested that perhaps the letter referred to approval by ICE and was not referencing the Commissioners’ approval.

McLaughlin was concerned that residents that read the Sheriff’s letter would be confused, thinking “everyone had approved it.” This specific concern was never directly addressed by the Commissioners.

At the close of the public comment, the meeting continued, moving through the approval of various agenda items.

Near the end of the meeting, the Commissioners welcomed Michelle Koslap of SEDA-Council of Governments to share information on a project review submitted by McAlisterville Joint Authority regarding the McAlisterville Area Joint Authority (MAJA) Spring Transmission Line Replacement.

The original cast iron water line, dating back to the 1930’s, has become “severely clogged” due to the mineral buildup.

After a successful rehabilitation of springs one and two on Shade Mountain, MAJA gained access to significantly more spring water. However, the current lines are too restricted to maintain the increased supply.

The goal is a multi phase solution, which will begin by replacing approximately 900 linear feet of the current line with a 6-inch c-900 plastic transmission pipe in the upper section. This would result in improved system efficacy, allowing greater use of high quality, low-cost spring water, and reducing reliance on the energy intensive production wells.

MAJA also hopes to remove the original bell-and-spigot joints that are currently sealed with lead and oakum.

It is estimated that the project would cost around $212,000 and $190,000 has been requested.

Koslap explained “We have about $188,000 available. With some tweaking of the budget, that would be a doable project for the area.”

In other business, the Commissioners:

-Approved a “Letter of Support” for Fayette Township supporting an application for Multimodal Transportation funding for improvements to Rockland Road and a “Letter of Support” for Lack Township supporting an application for Multimodal Transportation funding for improvements to Black Log Road;

-Approved payment for checklist No. 75341 to No. 75403 in the amount of $182,047.59;

-Approved the tax exonerations for Mifflintown Borough;

-Approved the payment of a $45.52 check to Wex Bank for Juniata County Hazardous Material;

-Approved the $12,774.71 CDBG-IDIS check for CP Engineers as submitted by the Juniata County Planning and Community Development Department;

-Approved a Purchase of Services Agreement for Mifflin Juniata Human Services Department as presented by Melissa Stewart:

–Agency and Human Services staff in the amount of $9,600 from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

–Agency and Robin White in the amount of $1,500 per month from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

-Approved the “Grant Agreements for the Homeless Assistance Program” between Juniata County and Mifflin Juniata Human Services Department:

–Agreement for Administration in the sum of $2,437 from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

–Agreement for Case Management in the sum of $19,292 from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

–Agreement for Rental/Utility Assistance in the sum of $2,530 from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

-Approved the contracts for the Juniata County Human Services as presented by Melissa Stewart:

–The Abuse Network for Case Management, total cost $3,000 from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

–Clear Concepts Counseling for inmate D/A counseling, total cost $5,000 from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

–The Shelter Services, Inc. for Emergency Shelter, total cost $8,600, from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

–Mifflin Juniata Human Services for Administration, total cost $5,000, from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

–Mifflin Juniata Human Services for Service Coordination and Training, total cost $27,650. Additional training cost will be $750;

-Approved the following Purchase of Service Agreements for Juniata County Children and Youth Services as presented by Ashley Baxter:

–Danette Dupree for Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the yearly total of $30,000 from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

–Diakon Child Family and Community Ministries to implement the “Weekend Alternative Program (WAP)” at a daily per diem rate of $210.97 for a three-day billing from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026;

-Reviewed the following June 2025 departmental reports:

–“Monthly Statistics Report” as submitted by Juniata County Children and Youth Services;

–“Summary of Collections Report” as submitted by MDJ Powell’s office;

–“Monthly Report” as submitted by the Adult and Juvenile Probation Office;

-Approved the following documents proposed by CDBG as presented by Tyler Dombroski and Michelle Koslap of Seda-Council of Governments:

Resolution 20205-5, Agent Resolution; Resolution 20205-6, Excessive Force Policy; Resolution 20205-7, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Complaint Resolution; Resolution 20205-8, Section 504 Resolution; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Complaint Procedure; Anti-Displacement and Relocation Plan; Code of Conduct; Financial Management Plan; Procurement Policy (recent update to the policy); and Program Income Reutilization Plan.