Submitted photo
Commissioner Noah Wise; Nicolette Cusate, agricultural sciences teacher; Big Valley FFA adviser; Laura Hicks, Academy of Science and Technology administrative director; Commissioner Robert Postal; Commissioner Kevin Kodish; Helen Kirk and Becky Seaholtz.

LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County Commissioners on Thursday recognized the official chartering of the Big Valley FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter, opening a meeting that combined ceremonial recognition with a series of infrastructure, technology and community funding decisions affecting projects across the county.

Commissioners approved the proclamation unanimously, formally marking Feb. 6, 2026, as the chapter’s chartering date after the National FFA Organization granted official recognition earlier this month. The proclamation notes the group’s goal of supporting agricultural education through mentorship, career opportunities and community involvement.

Representatives of the organization told commissioners the chapter currently has about 10 to 15 members and hopes to grow by welcoming supporters from across the community.

The recognition set the tone for a meeting largely focused on investments aimed at long-term operations and public infrastructure.

Commissioners approved a $224,888.22 contract with Winslow Technology Group to replace aging county data center hardware, a project county officials said was moved forward to avoid rising maintenance costs and market price increases.

MIS Director Aaron Felker told the board existing equipment purchased between 2019 and 2020 had reached the end of its expected lifecycle. Maintaining the current system would cost an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 this year alone, money officials said would be spent on equipment scheduled for replacement anyway.

Felker said supply constraints in the technology market also influenced the timing, with vendors warning prices could climb further over the next 12 to 18 months. The upgrade remains under earlier long-range budget projections, he said.

Commissioners also approved a new three-year agreement with Telesystem for county phone services. Following an audit of phone lines across departments, the county reduced unused lines and renegotiated rates, lowering monthly costs by about $2,000 and producing roughly $20,000 in annual savings, according to Felker.

Much of the meeting centered on the West Railroad Bridge replacement project in Brown Township, where commissioners approved a series of motions extending timelines, authorizing inspections and ratifying construction contracts.

The board approved a $2,433,008.84 contract with Wen-Brooke Contracting Inc. as the lowest responsive bidder for the bridge replacement.

Planning officials said construction will now extend into a longer schedule than originally anticipated, requiring time extensions and additional inspection services totaling $318,428.08. Federal funding will cover about 82 percent of project costs, with municipal contributions accounting for the remaining share, county staff said during the meeting.

Commissioners also approved amendments reducing the overall project cost estimate from $4.87 million to about $4.37 million following updated agreements with PennDOT.

Additional actions addressed community projects funded through grants and partnerships.

The board approved a modification to an agreement with the EADS Group related to rehabilitation of the YMCA pool ceiling and installation of a new environmental control system. County participation remains capped at $60,000, with the YMCA responsible for costs exceeding that amount. Bid documents are under review, and construction is expected to begin in August, officials said.

Commissioners authorized Community Development Block Grant subrecipient agreements with Derry Township for the Yeagertown area road construction project and with Brown Township for Walnut Street sidewalk improvements. Funding for the Derry Township work totals $286,094 for the initial phase, while the Brown Township sidewalk phase carries a budget of $135,900.

Several actions supported the Buck Run bridge project in Derry Township, including an amendment to a cooperation agreement, approval of a $421,558 short-term county loan to begin construction and a repayment agreement requiring reimbursement by June 2027.

Cindy Sunderland of CARS addressed the commissioners regarding the Medical Assistance Transportation Program allocations. The board approved a final 2024-25 allocation of $476,080 following a small overpayment reconciliation and a 2025-26 initial allocation of $589,609 reflecting expanded transportation services beginning this spring.

The commissioners approved a modification to the executed agreement with the EADS Group for the Rehabilitation of the Pool Ceiling and New Environmental Control System at the YMCA, reducing the contract fee by $6,790.

Commissioners also accepted a $32,328 Juvenile Probation Services grant award covering July 2025 through June 2026 and approved multiple personnel actions, including several resignations and part-time hires across Children and Youth, corrections and courthouse operations.

Personnel actions approved during the meeting included the resignation of James Wilburne from Children and Youth effective Feb. 23, the resignation of part-time corrections officer Colton Fleming effective Feb. 14, and the resignation of tipstaff R. Ann Kanagy effective Feb. 27.

The board also accepted the resignation of Children and Youth caseworker Briana Estep, effective Feb. 27.

Commissioners approved the hiring of Chelsea Burdge as a part-time clerk in the coroner’s office, effective Feb. 17; Andrew Vogt as a part-time security officer, effective Feb. 23, and Cameron Rhoades and Blake Mark as part-time corrections officers, effective Feb. 23.