MIFFLINTOWN — During their Tuesday meeting, Juniata County Commissioners took action to ratify the acceptance of the Juniata County Crime Victim Services 2023-2025 Subgrant Award in the amount of $31,154.

Commissioners took action in March on a grant proposal that provides aid to crime victims and witnesses with the aid of the county’s victim witness program coordinator.

“This is a grant for victims of crime. Not financial but moral support, social support, will accompany victims in court. So overall, a grant to fund an individual to give support to victims of crime,” said Alice Gray, Juniata County Commissioner.

According to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Juniata County Victims of Crime Act Grant funds support services for crime victims including counseling, emergency shelter, safe housing, and crisis intervention.

Sylvia Middaugh, Juniata County crime victim coordinator provides victims and witnesses with the opportunity to make statements to the court about matters pertaining to their case. In cases in which the victim needs additional support the crime victim service also assists in applying for victim compensation claims and referrals for counseling in relation to the crime committed.

PA SAVIN is a State Automated Victim Information and Notification program which allows not only victims of crimes, but anybody to register anonymously to receive notification upon an offender’s release. Registration and notification is free and confidential, tso the offender will not know that someone has registered for the service. More information can be found on the PA SAVIN website.

In other business, Commissioners…

• Approved a renewal agreement with Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Company for employee life insurance covering the contract period Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2025. This agreement contains a 0% rate increase;

• Approved and accepted the resignation of Ashley Campbell from her position as a Children & Youth Services full-time caseworker effective as of the end of business on Oct. 31, 2024;

• Approved payment of checks in the amount of $70,535.96;

• Approved the tax exonerations for Susquehanna Township;

• Reviewed the September 2024 Change in Assessment Report as submitted by the Juniata County Assessment Office;

• Approved a change in employment status for Hillary Kindervater from the position of Office Manager/UPI Coordinator within the Assessment/GIS Office to the position of Tax Claim Director effective Oct. 28, 2024 and establish a starting wage. This change in status will include a 90 day probationary period. Ms. Kindervater will replace Brenda Varner.