Mifflinburg Council Approves 5% Pay Raise for Four Managers

1. Margaret Metzger, borough manager

Margaret Metzger was reappointed in December and received a 5% salary increase as part of the borough’s 2026 salary-setting actions. As borough manager, Metzger oversees day-to-day administration, implements council policy, and coordinates with department heads; the raise signals the council’s intent to retain continuity in central administration during the new budget year. For residents this affects the quality and institutional memory of municipal services, from permitting to grant administration, and contributes to the personnel line items in the 2026 budget implementation. Civic oversight should focus on the borough manager’s stated goals in council packets and how personnel spending aligns with service delivery priorities.

2. Rob Rowe, project manager

Rob Rowe was reappointed as project manager in December and was included among the four managers receiving a 5% increase for 2026. Project management in a small borough often means shepherding capital work, coordinating contractors, and keeping infrastructure projects on schedule; a pay adjustment for that role can be aimed at sustaining project continuity through multi-year efforts. For taxpayers, increases in managerial pay for project oversight are most visible when projects finish on time, within scope, and with clear documentation of procurement and costs. Residents tracking local streets, stormwater, or building improvements should examine bid records, project timelines, and council reports to assess whether the personnel investment yields measurable project outcomes.

3. Jason Mitchell, public works supervisor

Jason Mitchell, reappointed in December as public works supervisor, was also granted a 5% salary boost in the borough’s 2026 personnel actions. The public works supervisor manages the crews and schedules that keep roads, parks, and utilities functioning, a front-line leadership role that affects everyday life in town from pothole repair to snow clearing. The financial implication for the borough is that a portion of the public works operating budget will reflect this personnel adjustment; the practical trade-off for residents is continuity and experience in responding to weather events and infrastructure maintenance. Citizens should monitor service metrics and seasonal performance reports to judge whether higher pay correlates with improved responsiveness and long-term asset stewardship.

4. Jeff Hackenburg, chief of police

Jeff Hackenburg was reappointed as chief of police in December and was included in the 5% salary increases approved during council’s adoption of 2026 salaries. Public safety leadership carries both operational and community-trust responsibilities; keeping an experienced chief can support continuity in policing priorities, training, and interagency coordination. Budget-wise, police compensation is often a substantial portion of municipal personnel costs, so incremental raise decisions matter when council balances staffing needs against other budgetary demands. Civic engagement here can take the form of reviewing the police budget, attending public safety presentations at council meetings, and asking for comparative data on staffing levels, response times, and community-police initiatives to ensure the pay adjustment advances tangible public safety goals.