LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County Commissioners took a significant step toward improving roadway safety Thursday by approving a contract tied to a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to develop a comprehensive, countywide safety plan.

Mifflin County Planning Director Jim Lettiere presented the client services agreement with Michael Baker International, the consulting firm selected to prepare the county’s Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. The plan is funded through a grant awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and is designed to identify and address roadway safety concerns, particularly for pedestrians and other nonmotorized users.

Lettiere explained that the goal of the plan is to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities using systemic, data-driven transportation strategies. Rather than relying on isolated fixes, the plan will analyze countywide crash data and identify high-risk areas. The process will result in prioritized recommendations aimed at moving the county toward a long-term goal of zero roadway deaths.

A planning advisory committee will be established to guide the project. Each municipality in Mifflin County will be asked to appoint its roadmaster to the committee, ensuring local knowledge of roadway conditions, unsafe intersections and traffic issues is incorporated into the planning process. Participation will also be sought from PennDOT and transportation specialists from regional organizations.

“The committee will serve as the project’s governance and coordination forum,” Lettiere said, noting it will help validate data findings, refine prioritization criteria, assist with public outreach and ensure recommended strategies are practical and supported across the county.

The total contract amount is $445,527. The SS4A grant will fund $356,458 of that total, with a county match of $89,115. Michael Baker International will utilize two subconsultants — Kittleson and Associates and Involvement Consulting Group — both of which have experience preparing SS4A plans.

Key deliverables will include a minimum of four public engagement events timed to major planning milestones, a public outreach survey to collect information on travel patterns and safety concerns, and a final Safety Action Plan that includes project prioritization and estimated costs.

Public components of the process are expected to begin in late May or June. The plan must be completed by Dec. 31, 2027, with a final report submitted by March 1, 2028.

Medication-assisted treatment grant

Director of Mifflin Juniata Human Services Melissa Stewart presented a $102,968 Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant application, explaining the funding will “provide education and counseling for those on MAT entering our residential facility” and applies to “anybody that is within the Mifflin County Correctional Facility.” The grant runs for two years.

Crisis intervention program grant

Stewart also announced that the county received award notification of a $181,767 Crisis Intervention Program grant to support crisis response. She said the funding will allow the hiring of an additional co-responder, who will also serve as a Crisis Intervention Training coordinator. Co-responders are embedded with police departments to assist with mental health calls.

Stewart said current co-responders “are working 12- and 14-hour days just to respond to incidents,” and the new hire would help distribute the workload. The grant runs through Sept. 30, 2027, and requires no county match.

Sheriff and domestic relations agreements renewed

Commissioners approved two annual intergovernmental agreements:

Sheriff’s Office security services for Domestic Relations;

Sheriff’s Office warrant service support for Domestic Relations.

Both agreements continue longstanding arrangements.

Children and youth contract approved

Children and Youth Administrator Nicole Kitzmiller presented a contract with Diversified Treatment Alternative Centers in Milton, Pa., for residential behavioral health services at $581.56 per day. When asked whether the agency currently has a child placed there, Kitzmiller said, “Yes. That’s why we needed to do this contract. It’s a child that we didn’t really have any other options for.”

Training program for local contractors authorized

Grants Liaison Madison Price outlined a proposal from Professional Training Associates to provide an eight-hour renovation, repair, and maintenance course for local contractors, funded under the Whole Home Repair Program.

The cost is $2,400 for up to 10 participants and $125 per participant up to a total of 18, with the class scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, at the county annex.

CDBG agreements advance water and safety projects

Community Development Block Grant Administrator Carol Kearney-High presented two sub-recipient agreements. One involved the Mifflin County Municipal Authority for Juniata Terrace fire hydrant system improvements under the 2022 entitlement program. The second approved a subrecipient agreement with Wayne Township for a water meter replacement project funded with 2024 CDBG funds.

Disabled veterans receive tax exonerations

Commissioners approved the exoneration of 2026 county real estate taxes for three disabled veterans: Michael Snook, of Lewistown Borough; Shane Moore, of Derry Township; and Deborah and Larry Collins, of Granville Township. All were deemed exempt due to disability status determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Personnel actions

The commissioners approved the following personnel matters: hiring of Daniel Trewick as a full-time 911 telecommunicator and Jaden Zimmerman as a licensed practical nurse at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility, and the retirement of Lisa Harris as tax claim clerk.

Next meeting

The commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Mifflin County Courthouse. They meet on the first and third Thursdays of every month, and the fifth Thursday when applicable.