Submitted photo
Mifflin County Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing Career and Technical Education Month on Thursday. Pictured, from left, are Commissioner Noah Wise, Academy Operating Committee Chairperson Mark Baker, Academy Administrative Director Laura Hicks, Academy Principal Mark Crosson, Commissioner Robert Postal, and Commissioner Kevin Kodish.

LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County Commissioners on Thursday proclaimed Feb. 1 through Feb. 28 as Career and Technical Education Month, recognizing the role of career and technical education programs in preparing students for employment and helping address workforce shortages across the region.

The proclamation states that employers in Mifflin County and across Pennsylvania continue to face worker shortages in sectors including advanced manufacturing, health care, construction trades, transportation, and information technology. Officials said career and technical education programs provide students with academic instruction and hands-on technical training that prepares them for postsecondary education, apprenticeships, military service, and direct entry into the workforce.

The proclamation also recognizes the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology for providing programs aligned with industry certifications and workforce demands, noting that partnerships with local employers, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations help develop a skilled workforce that supports local and regional economic growth.

Following the proclamation, commissioners moved through a series of new business items involving redevelopment, infrastructure, engineering services, and county operations.

The commissioners approved Ordinance No. 1 of 2026, establishing a county demolition and rehabilitation fund. The fund will be supported by a $250 fee collected from certain property sales and foreclosure transactions and will be used to address blighted properties throughout the county.

Commissioners also approved a five-year engineering services agreement with Keller Engineers to provide civil engineering and related services for county projects through Jan. 1, 2031. Individual projects undertaken during the contract period will require separate agreements outlining specific work and costs.

A yearly agreement allowing the county probation office to use the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory 2.0 assessment tool was also approved. The tool is used to help determine supervision levels and service needs for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

The commissioners authorized participation in a Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank loan agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation totaling approximately $478,975 to support repairs or replacement of the Jack’s Creek Road Bridge. Officials said the funds will assist with infrastructure improvements while allowing the county to draw on the money as needed for the project.

An addendum to the county’s Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal software agreement was approved, adding $7,700 annually for expanded online courthouse data services.

Commissioners also approved a purchase-of-service agreement allowing Children and Youth Services to use Community Specialists Corporation of Pittsburgh for residential behavioral health placements for youth if needed. Children and Youth Administrator Nicole Patkalitsky said the agreement ensures placement options are available for youth requiring higher levels of care.

In redevelopment matters, commissioners approved a resolution authorizing matching funds and interim financing for Phase 1 of the Mifflin County Community Revitalization Initiative, which focuses on improvements to the historic county courthouse. Updated Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program documents tied to the project were also approved.

Personnel actions included the hiring of Miranda Foltz as a tax services, voter and veterans clerk effective Feb. 17, the hiring of Alicia Silks as a part-time corrections officer effective Feb. 9, and the promotion of Abraham David from part-time corrections officer to counselor effective Feb. 23.

In additional action, commissioners approved the appointment of David Becker to a municipal authority following a new nomination submitted by Lewistown Borough after a previous nominee withdrew.

Earlier in the meeting, commissioners also approved an inmate telecommunications agreement with Combined Public Communications, an item that had been tabled at an earlier meeting pending clarification.