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MIFFLINTOWN -- Juniata County commissioners questioned a $130,049.94 federal deposit Tuesday after reviewing paperwork referencing services involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that commissioners say the county never authorized.
According to an Oct. 27 memorandum, the money appeared in the county’s general account on or about Sept. 8 without documentation explaining its purpose or how it should be distributed.
County officials began investigating the payment immediately but have received no documentation from the Department of Homeland Security explaining its purpose or conditions for use.
The only potentially related paperwork came from the Juniata County Sheriff’s Office, according to the memorandum.
Among those documents was an “Order for Supplies or Services” identifying $100,000 as a one-time transportation payment and referencing an additional equipment stipend. The memorandum did not specify the amount of that stipend.
In the memorandum, commissioners on Tuesday, during the board’s regular meeting, questioned why Juniata County was identified as an applicant for services involving ICE.
Commissioners said the county never applied for services involving ICE, never received a proposed contract for approval and has no current agreement with the agency for those services.
Commissioners also said they had not authorized the use of county equipment on behalf of another government agency.
They also objected to a provision requiring the county to keep the agreement’s terms confidential, arguing that it would violate Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
The memorandum also questioned what services would be performed, how long the arrangement would last and what county equipment would be required.
“Acceptance of the funds would commit county resources to another government agency to an extent unknown and unidentified,” the memorandum states.
The document concludes that the county cannot properly process the money based on the information available.
The Juniata County Sheriff’s Office entered into a separate agreement with ICE in June 2025 under the federal 287(g) program, which allows designated law enforcement personnel to perform certain immigration enforcement duties. The commissioners’ objections concern the services described in the payment documents.
Tuesday’s action acknowledged receipt of the funds but did not authorize their use. The memorandum did not specify what steps the county would take next.
In other business, commissioners approved a proposal from Eventides Critical Insights AI for the Juniata County 911 Department.
The meeting agenda did not specify the proposal’s cost or provide details about the services involved.
Commissioners also adopted an artificial intelligence policy for county government employees. Specific provisions of the policy were not included in the agenda.
The board approved a $5,280 annual LexisNexis subscription for the county Public Defender’s Office.
The agreement, requested by Public Defender Nancy C. Schrum, runs from Dec. 1, 2026, through Nov. 30, 2027. The expense will be covered through the county’s Indigent Defense Grant.
Commissioners also approved replacing Court Administrator Christina Zook on the Juniata County Children & Youth Advisory Board with Summer Goodling, director of the DeLauter Center, effective Feb. 1, 2027.
The board ratified a $5,630 Community Development Block Grant payment to SEDA-COG for administrative fees and approved an $89.69 hazardous materials expenditure to Wex Bank for fuel for a response truck.
Commissioners also accepted the resignation of Adam Eubanks from a county security position, effective at the close of business Oct. 30.
The board reviewed September departmental reports from the Children & Youth Office, Tax Claim Office and UPI Office and approved payments submitted by the county’s Fiscal Office.
During the Salary Board meeting, officials ratified the appointment of Austin Mull as a probation officer, effective Oct. 19. His wages and benefits will follow the current bargaining unit contract.
The Salary Board also acknowledged the hiring of Andrew Bustin as a casual, part-time deputy sheriff at $23.08 an hour. The position involves fewer than 1,000 hours annually and carries no employee benefits or retirement eligibility.
However, the Salary Board tabled a proposal to ratify the hiring of Jazelle Bryner as director of the Juniata County Domestic Relations Office.
The tabled proposal, recommended by District Court Administrator Christina Zook, would ratify Bryner’s hiring as Abby Ingle’s replacement, effective Oct. 19, at an annual salary of $52,000. No reason for tabling the matter was included in the information provided by the county.
A special Salary Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 4 in the commissioners’ meeting room to establish salaries for county elected officials.
The commissioners’ next regular meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 10.