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LEWISTOWN - Calling it "still very much a work in progress," the Mifflin County Commissioners on Thursday voted to approve and display the county's 2010 tentative budget.

In order to avoid a tax increase, the 2010 spending plan has been targeted at $21.4 million, however, Commissioner Mark Sunderland said there is still more work to be done before final approval, which has been scheduled for a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 30.

"The budget still needs work, in my opinion," Sunderland said prior to the vote to put the plan on display. "We're about $825,000 short right now. My goal is not to raise taxes. Last year when we started (the budgeting process), we were at $2.5 million (short). This year when we started we were at $1.6 million, and we have cut about half of that. I personally feel there are more cuts to be made and we'll do what we can."

Sunderland said the budget will be on display in the commissioners' office until final adoption. The Dec. 30 special meeting has been set for 9:30 a.m., according to the commissioners' agenda.

In other business Thursday, the commissioners adopted a proclamation honoring Justin L. Phillips, of Milroy, for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. According to the proclamation, Phillips' Eagle Scout project included refurbishing a nature trail at Hartman Center Church Camp in Milroy. In addition, he added five new stations to the trail, built new blue jay boxes, installed a water drainage pipe and rebuilt the fire ring. In all, Phillips worked 165 hours on the project. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 106 of Milroy.

In other action Thursday, the commissioners:

Approved the following Human Services Development Fund Contracts for July 1, 2009. to June 30, 2010: $10,536 to Clear Concepts Counseling of Lewistown for drug and alcohol counseling; $4,545 to the Lumina Center of Lewistown for drop-in center, after school and summer programs; $9,219 to Shelter Services Inc. of Lewistown for its emergency shelter operations; $4,403 to the Abuse Network of Lewistown for its emergency shelter operations; $3,160 to Mifflin County Probation and Parole for the juvenile drug court incentive system; $4,390 to the Mifflin-Juniata Dental Clinic for dental care services; $7,902 to the Area Agency on Aging of Lewistown for personal care services to the aged; $9,634 to the Mifflin County Human Services Department for grant administration; and $42,556 to the Mifflin County Human Services Department for service coordination.

Approved an application from Oliver Township for its 2009 liquid fuels allocation in the amount of $2,730.43.

Reappointed Glenn Casner, of McVeytown, and Roy Stine, of Reedsville, to four-year terms on the Mifflin County Conservation District Board of Directors.

Approved the Mifflin County revised Homeless Assistance Program Pre-Expenditure Plan for 2009-10.

Approved a purchase of service agreement for use, if needed, by Children & Youth from Wardell & Associates Inc. of Bellefonte.

Approved the following CSBG contracts for Jan. 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2010: $16,576 for Shelter Services Inc. of Lewistown for case management; $15,680 to Shelter Services Inc. of Lewistown for emergency services; $3,347 to Tuscarora Intermediate Unit #11 for its Project YES program; $36,676 to Tuscarora Intermediate Unit #11 for HOPES case management; and $8,031 to the Mifflin-Juniata Human Services Department for administration costs.

Authorized the county solicitor to send a letter to those tax collectors who have failed to turn over taxes collected within the statutory time frame indicating the county's position concerning the imposition of interest owing on the overdue monies.

Accepted the resignation of Stacey Reedy, part-time telecommunicator in the 911 center.

Accepted the resignation of Heather Baker, caseworker in the Children & Youth department.

Reappointed Susan Heimbach, of Lewistown, and Christian Aumiller, of Reedsville, to four-year terms on the Mifflin County Planning Commission.

Appointed the following to a committee to appoint a county engineer, as per PennDOT regulations: Mark Sunderland, commissioner; Bill Gomes, county planning director; Jim Saylor, SEDA-COG; Bill Sarge, local engineer; and Dan Dunmire, planning commission member.