Board concerned about state, local budget
All 911 addresses now released in Juniata CountyBy MICAIAH WISE?BILGER Sentinel reporter mwise@lewistownsentinel.com
MIFFLINTOWN - Worries about both the state budget impasse and Juniata County's own financial situation arose during the commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
The most recent state budget proposal "severely" cuts funding for human services, Commissioner Teresa O'Neal said, based on information she received from the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. A cut to the program would put the funding obligation back on the county, she said.
O'Neal also expressed concerns about Juniata County's current spending and its 2010 budget, which must be passed by Dec. 31.
"I am still highly concerned about our position with the local budget," O'Neal said. "Bills continue to be paid when we don't even have an idea where we're at budgetarily."
In previous weeks, the delay in receiving county financial updates has been attributed to a new accounting software program the county has implemented.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners announced that all the addresses in the county 911 project have been released.
Residents of the final three border towns - Millerstown, Mount Pleasant Mills and Liverpool - should receive their addresses soon, if they haven't already, Commissioner Jeffrey Zimmerman said.
Commissioner Dale Shelley said the addressing project "has been a five-year struggle. It's good to have the last addresses out."
For the most part, the emergency services department is "in maintenance mode," making corrections and updates as they come along, Zimmerman said. However, a few addresses in Mexico and on the border of Mifflin County have yet to be resolved, he added.
O'Neal said the commissioners should plan to discuss the project maintenance with Emergency Services Director Allen Weaver.
In other business, the commissioners:
Approved a bid for heating oil from K&C Oil at a cost of $1.792 per gallon. The total purchase will be 6,000 gallons.
The commissioners received other bids from Nittany Oil at $2.101 per gallon and Shipley Energy at $1.81 per gallon.
Held an executive session to discuss personnel issues. O'Neal called for the executive session.
Approved an amended agreement with SEDA-Council of Governments to include funding for the HUD environmental review.
Approved a HazMat check for $1,769.20 payable to Western PA Firemen's Association for field responder training manuals; and a HazMat check for $30.19 payable to Sheetz Advantage.
Reviewed a monthly statistical report submitted by Children and Youth.
The Juniata County Commissioners hold weekly public meetings at 10 a.m. Tuesdays in the Bousum Building, Main Street, Mifflintown.



