County secures $103K cybersecurity grant, starts courthouse HVAC study

BY BRIAN CARSON

LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County commissioners on Thursday ratified a $103,227.92 cybersecurity grant and approved a $15,900 courthouse HVAC study, the first step in a multi-year building upgrade.

The cybersecurity funding, awarded through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, will support improvements to the county’s detection network and staff training. The HVAC study is expected to guide a two- to three-year courthouse improvement project.

The cybersecurity funding is intended to protect county systems and data, while the HVAC study begins planning for long-term improvements at the courthouse.

For residents, the cybersecurity investment is aimed at protecting county data and keeping services running. The HVAC study could lead to future work affecting courthouse operations and building conditions.

The cybersecurity grant was approved without opposition. Officials said the funding will enhance network monitoring and provide employee training as local governments face rising cyber threats.

Commissioners also approved a courthouse HVAC study to assess heating and cooling systems and prepare for a broader renovation effort. The study is expected to be completed this summer and will guide financing and design decisions.

The HVAC work is separate from recent improvements to the historic courthouse and is expected to focus on another county facility. Officials said the study is the starting point for a longer-term project.

In other business, commissioners approved an application for a $110,471 indigent defense grant beginning July 1. The funding supports public defender operations, with minor adjustments to maximize administrative costs.

The board approved a second settlement agreement for a proposed 5,400-panel solar farm in Armagh Township, extending the developer’s deadline to meet conditions until February 2027. Officials said the extension does not add costs to the county, though the developer remains responsible for engineering review expenses.

Commissioners authorized participation in a new opioid settlement expected to bring about $9,575 to the county. The funds must be used for opioid remediation efforts.

Commissioners revised a revolving loan to Unipar Inc. from $84,463 to $63,172 after the company determined it did not need the full amount.

The board approved a $55,380 application for the federal Victims of Crime Act grant, a 7.5% decrease from prior years. Officials said the reduction required adjustments but will allow services to continue.

Earlier in the meeting, commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Call volume at the county’s emergency communications center is about 2,000 calls higher than at the same point last year.

Commissioners approved $5,000 contributions to the Rec Park and Vernon pools to support maintenance and improvements ahead of the summer season.

Other actions included contract renewals, a GIS software agreement, and several personnel hires and promotions.

Meeting notebook:

• Commissioners contributed $5,000 each to the Rec Park and Vernon pools for maintenance and improvements.
• A $10,000 GIS software agreement with EagleView was renewed.
• A water management services contract for the courthouse and jail was renewed for $4,987.50.
• Commissioners rejected a $1,000 offer for a repository property in Lewistown Borough.
• Delinquent real estate taxes were exonerated on a parcel where a mobile home was destroyed.
• Personnel actions included the hiring of Jessica Henry (tax claim clerk), Aidan Arnold and Scott Walter (part-time corrections officers), Sydney Crosson (caseworker), Olivia Morrison (janitor), and the promotion of Fredy Espinal to full-time corrections officer.