Jason W. Mitchell

The meeting commenced with the Oath of Office Ceremony conducted by the District Justice for the re-elected Mayor and several Council Members. Key discussions focused on the election of the Borough Council President and Vice-President. Following these elections, the council debated readopting the Bylaws and procedures for conducting meetings, specifically concerning the adoption of Robert's Rules of Order versus Robert's Rules of Order for Small Boards, with significant discussion regarding the requirement for motion seconding. The council also addressed the reappointment of engineering firms (HRG, Inc. and Utility Engineering, PC) for a two-year term and the reappointment of the Borough Solicitor (McNerney Page Vanderlin & Hall). Furthermore, the council approved a list of official depositories and authorized specific personnel to sign Borough checks. Finally, Resolution No. 2026-01, approving a Tax Collector and Deputy Tax Collector, was adopted.

The regular meeting included a discussion regarding the preparation time for typing council meeting minutes. Key topics involved a significant financial discussion concerning the Mifflinburg Area School District (MASD) Sports Complex Project water metering, where options included installing three water meter pits, Borough ownership of existing water lines, or the MASD removing a water loop. The council decided to refer further discussion on water metering to a work session and direct the solicitor to draft a Developer's Agreement. Public visitor concerns were addressed regarding blighted properties, sidewalk conditions, and bicycle ordinances; the latter two items were referred to committees or slated for future ordinance amendments. The council authorized payment of Bill List # 2026-01, approved payment for the Central Keystone Council of Governments (CK-COG) Zoning Report, and adopted a resolution appointing a representative to CK-COG and another resolution appointing members to the Zoning Hearing Board. A lengthy discussion occurred regarding the proposed adoption of Resolution No. 2026-04 to amend the Police Department Policy Manual, specifically concerning section 306 on Vehicle Pursuits, which ultimately passed without bifurcation. The council approved requests for park usage by the First Evangelical Lutheran Church and WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital. Furthermore, the Borough Manager was authorized to solicit RFPs for 2025 Audit Services, and Supplement No. 2 from HRG, Inc. for the Water System Reliability Improvements Project was approved, as was authorization to solicit bids for the Cherry Alley Sewer Project. A proposal from Range Consulting Group for Health & Safety Consulting Services was approved, and the office postage meter was authorized for upgrade. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss personnel matters and attorney advisement, following which the council voted on granting salary increases to key personnel and addressing a debt incurred from a water meter installation error.

The regular meeting involved several significant actions and discussions. Key topics included the approval of payment list #2025-12, public comment regarding the 2026 Budget and concerns over electric rate increase communication, and the rejection of Ordinance No. 2025-03 concerning the Occupational Privilege Tax/Local Services Tax. The Council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-04 related to amending electric rate structure, including capacity and transmission costs driven by PJM auction rates. Approvals were granted for Change Order No. 1 and final payment for the Woodland Estates Sewer Project, the 2026 Tentative Budget, and the adoption of resolutions establishing the purchased power cost adjustment and a policy on public comment. Furthermore, the Council addressed the sewage sludge disposal rate increase from Lycoming County Resource Management Services and appointed/reappointed members to the Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, and Shade Tree Commission, as well as reappointing key administrative personnel for 2026. An executive session was held to discuss personnel matters and attorney advisement.

The council addressed concerns from the Mifflinburg Buggy Museum regarding electric rates for non-profit organizations and received an update on the relocation of the Purple Heart Memorial to the Mifflinburg Community Park. Council also considered requests related to recording public meetings, making financial actuals public, and publishing the Electric Rate Study. They approved the Mifflinburg Borough Zoning Report, amended the Mifflinburg Police Department Policy Manual, and adopted resolutions for LSA grants to purchase a Street Sweeper and fund a Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project. Additionally, they established a policy for distributing connection permits and approved a change order and final payment for the Market Street Sewer Project. The council also discussed and took action on the 2026 tentative budget, local services tax, and electric billing rate structure, including a public hearing on December 16, 2025. Finally, they awarded quotes for annual snow removal equipment rental and authorized the submission of a DCNR Grant Application for the 8th Street Ball Fields.

The special meeting of the Mifflinburg Borough Council involved discussions regarding a budget request from Mifflinburg Innovation Works concerning the repainting of continental crosswalk markings on SR 45. There was also discussion of a Letter of Support for the repeal of Section 13-105 of the Residential Rental Ordinance. An update was provided on the PENNVEST Application for the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project, with a revised budget of $8,074,000.00. Council considered and approved the PENNVEST Application and the Letter of Responsibility.