MIFFLINTOWN - Two new positions have been created to address increasing case loads and other work in Juniata County Children and Youth.

"The bottom line is we're understaffed," Director Helen Henry told county commissioners and Treasurer Sandra King during a salary board meeting Tuesday.

Based on monthly reports from Children and Youth from 2007 and 2008, the office has seen an increased intake of 48 percent, with child abuse cases up 17 percent and accepted cases up 62 percent, Commissioner Teresa O'Neal said. The number of interviews also increased 20 percent, she said.

A field representative who evaluated the Juniata County program recommended that two positions, a case worker and a fiscal assistant, be created to help the growing need for services, Henry said.

The state already gave approval to reimburse the salary and benefits for the two positions through a grant, Act 148 and Title 3 funds, Henry said. The county would receive 91.9 percent reimbursement for the case worker and 85.2 percent for the fiscal assistant, Henry said.

Both are civil service positions, Henry said.

The commissioners and King approved the case worker position with salary and benefits as established by union contract.

Commissioner Dale Shelley said the new positions also could help "catch problems earlier and keep people from going into placement. It could save the county money in the long run."

The second position for a fiscal assistant is a new classification, and the county and union would likely have to negotiate a salary, O'Neal said prior to the vote.

"I'm not sure if we're prepared to make a decision without talking to the union," O'Neal said. "This is a new classification for a new position."

Henry provided the salary board with research about the salaries that neighboring counties pay for fiscal assistants. The hourly rates ranged from $10.70 in Snyder County to $13.79 in Mifflin County, she said.

Commissioner Jeffrey Zimmerman made a motion to approve the position with a salary rate to be established based upon discussion with union officials.

The motion was approved, with O'Neal casting a dissenting vote.

Zimmerman said the commissioners would contact the appropriate people to discuss a salary for the position.

During the commissioners meeting, Zimmerman took a moment to recognize Veterans Day.

"Our nation remains the best hope for those who don't live in freedom," Zimmerman said. "Many people live and breathe today because of American soldiers who defended their freedom. One of the things we are to do here in this world is to give thanks. May God keep us ever grateful for their service."

In other business:

The commissioners approved an estimate to make repairs to the handicapped lift in the Bousum Building at a cost of $4,015 plus labor.

Shelley expressed concerns about the number of repairs being made to the lift.

"I think this is the third or fourth time they've been in for service this year," Shelley said. "If it breaks down again, I think we need to look at something different."

During the last repairs, Shelley said when he asked a maintenance man about the number of problems, the worker replied that break downs are common with that manufacturer's lifts.

The commissioners approved a one-year renewal of Delta Dental for 2010 at a cost of $51.33 per eligible enrolled employee.

Zimmerman said the rate is the same as last year.

No updates are available about courthouse renovations, Zimmerman said. The commissioners planned to meet with the contractor and architects on Tuesday after the public meeting, he said.

The Juniata County Commissioners hold weekly public meetings at 10 a.m. Tuesdays in the Bousum Building, Main Street, Mifflintown.