LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County Commissioners approved a slate of projects and agreements Thursday, moving forward with funding for public recreation, fire safety, opioid settlement participation, and several intergovernmental partnerships.

The meeting began with the unanimous acceptance of the 2024 Mifflin County Planning Commission Annual Report. Planning Director James Lettiere presented the report, which details annual development and planning activities required under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

“The goal of the Planning Commission is to ensure Mifflin County’s future is characterized by a healthy environment, economy and society achieved through proactive planning, citizen representation, effective communication and professional planning services,” Lettiere said. The report will be posted for public access on the county website.

Commissioners then allocated $50,000 in Act 13 Marcellus Shale Open Space Recreation Grant funding, with $35,090 awarded this round. Approved applications included Brown Township for a pavilion at Bender Park, Derry Township for engineering and design at Kish Park Walking Trail, and Burnham Borough for improvements at Veterans Memorial Circle.

“We received three applications for consideration for this cycle,” Lettiere said, noting that the Planning Commission recommended for approval all three projects contingent on agreements being signed and projects completed within a year.

A contract renewal with Geisinger Health Plan was authorized to provide employee group health coverage for 2026. County officials said no changes were made to the existing plan, and the renewal will be included in the 2026 budget.

The board approved multiple actions tied to national opioid settlements. These included the 2025 certification form for the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust, a participation agreement for the Purdue Pharma and Sackler settlement, and another agreement for secondary opioid manufacturers.

The exact dollar amount the county will receive remains unknown until the statewide distribution is finalized. Mifflin County will continue to work with Tri-County Drug and Alcohol, as well as an advisory committee, to determine how the funds are used locally.

Commissioners approved an amendment to the county’s 911 Regional Next Generation System agreement, adding Potter County to the partnership that includes ten other counties. Emergency Management Director Phil Lucas said the expanded group will coordinate purchasing and policy for 911 services and improve redundancy for emergency calls.

“We’re partnering with Juniata County, Mifflin and Huntington County, which are actually three totally separate groups,” Lucas said, explaining how technology and local needs are reshaping regional emergency response.

The board reappointed Lonnie Griffith as Section 504 compliance officer and reaffirmed the grievance procedure for federal program accessibility requirements.

During a public hearing segment, officials reviewed projects proposed for 2025 Community Development Block Grant funding. Projects include a water main river crossing in Juniata Terrace Borough, parking upgrades at Reedsville Park in Brown Township, road work in Derry Township, new fire safety equipment for Lewistown Borough, and continued efforts to make restrooms at the Mifflin County Youth Park accessible.

Granville Township will focus CDBG funds on single-family housing rehabilitation, pending results of an income survey for fire equipment eligibility. The board approved all projects for submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline.

“Assuming, when we reconvene, we’ll consider a motion to submit this application,” said Carol Kearney-High of SEDA-COG. “Once it’s submitted, the earliest we expect funding to be available is next fall.”

Commissioners approved a budget modification for the 2023 CDBG grant, redirecting funds originally designated for street reconstruction to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus for the Lewistown Fire Department, following an assessment showing the need for updated equipment.

Additional items approved included two intergovernmental agreements between the county’s domestic relations office and the sheriff’s office for office security and warrant service, both covering the period from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2030. The board also renewed a cooperative agreement with Jerry Wagner, Esq., for legal services, and approved an inmate housing agreement with Clinton County for $73 per day, effective through Dec. 31, 2028.

The Medical Assistance Transportation Program contract was renewed with Call-A-Ride Service for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with an allocation of $466,070. “Last year it was $548,639,” said Call-A-Ride’s Cindy Sunderland. “This year it’s going down, mostly due to a decrease in trips.” Officials noted the per-trip cost will rise to $43.

Two liquid fuel allocations were approved: $3,170 for Oliver Township and $7,335 for Lewistown Borough, both designated for road paving.

The board accepted the resignation of Mychaela Anna from her position as case manager/intake specialist in the public defender’s office, effective Oct. 9, 2025.