The Lackawanna County commissioners on Wednesday adopted a $90.7 million operating budget for 2013 that will increase property taxes by 4 percent even as it eliminates dozens of county jobs.
The spending plan, approved by the commissioners on a 2-1 vote, encountered its first challenge about an hour later during a meeting of the county prison board.
The county court's representative on the seven-member board, Judge Vito Geroulo, questioned the wisdom of moving the work-release program from a standalone center downtown to the county prison.
The planned relocation was part of a series of major spending and revenue adjustments the commissioners announced two weeks ago to close a nearly $1.8 million shortfall in their tentative budget caused by the state's decision to pull its prisoners from the facility.
Judge Geroulo, who voiced concerns about security and the impact the relocation would have on the neighborhood around the prison, said it made no sense to move work-release inmates who are preparing to re-enter society from a community setting to a prison environment.
"Philosophically, this is just a step in the wrong direction," he told the board.
A motion by the judge to block the relocation was tabled until the December meeting to give board members a chance to tour the dormitory unit where the work-release inmates would be housed.
"I think we need to have more discussion on this," Sheriff John Szymanski said. "The judge brought up some legitimate concerns."
Warden Robert McMillan said the work-release inmates would be housed in a "self-contained" unit with prisoners who now leave the prison daily to work at the recycling center and on Montage Mountain. They would have their own entrance into the prison and would be "totally segregated" from the general population.
The county anticipates saving $56,000 annually in building maintenance and other costs by moving work-release from the Community Corrections Center on Spruce Street. With more space at the prison, the county also plans to expand the number of available work-release beds from 43 to 55, which is expected to generate $52,500 in new revenue.
Majority Commissioner Jim Wansacz said board members who oppose the program's relocation to the jail should be prepared to suggest spending cuts to make up the $108,500.
Judge Geroulo said he did not believe the move would have the financial impact the administration anticipates.
"If you are counting on the prisoners to pay to be housed at the Lackawanna County Prison, as opposed to paying at the work-release center, I think you are going to see a decrease in the number of people who participate in the work-release program, and I frankly wouldn't blame them," he said.
Earlier, at the commissioners meeting, Mr. Wansacz and fellow majority Commissioner Corey O'Brien voted for the budget, with minority Commissioner Patrick O'Malley dissenting.
The budget increases the county's real estate tax rate from 55 mills to 57.42 mills. With a mill equal to $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value, the tax bill on a home assessed at the county average of $13,000 will increase from $715 to $746 annually.
Mr. O'Malley said he would not vote for "any type of tax increase" and opposed laying off county employees.
Eleven employees were laid off in early November, and four more will get the ax by the end of the year. With the elimination of another 13 vacant positions, the total net savings next year will be $1.2 million.
Reiterating a proposal he made in October, Mr. O'Malley said he believed the county could save a "tremendous amount of money" and avoid the tax increase and layoffs by hiring Millennium Administrators Inc. as its health care administrator. He is familiar with the company because of its work with the Scranton School District, where he previously served as a director.
Mr. O'Brien pointed out Millennium was permitted to make a proposal to the administration even though it did not respond when the county originally issued a request for proposals in May.
Both he and Mr. Wansacz said they did not believe Millennium could produce the $3 million in savings the county was told it might realize.
Mr. Wansacz told Mr. O'Malley a budget can't be built on hope.
"You said you don't want any layoffs and you don't want any tax increases. That's impossible. ... Nobody wants to do these things, but it is necessary to do them," he said.
In another budget-related matter, Mr. McMillan confirmed the prison eliminated Assistant Warden Timothy Betti's position as part of the cuts made in response to the loss of the state inmates. Mr. Betti, a 23-year employee who served as assistant warden of treatment, earned $61,768 annually.
"Mr. Betti's performance had nothing to do with it," the warden said. "It was just a budget item."
The commissioners also:
- Entered an agreement with ParenteBeard LLC to conduct the next two annual county audits. The company will be paid $135,000 for the 2012 audit and $137,000 for the 2013 audit.
- Approved a contract with Maps inDeed, Herndon, Va., to make the county's land-based databases available on the Internet for a fee. Chief financial officer Thomas Durkin said the service could generate up to $100,000 for the county annually.
- Appointed Mary Liz Donato, regional planning manager, to the Agricultural Land Preservation Board.
- Presented a "Good Works in Lackawanna County" certificate of recognition to Michael Hanley of United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com
First, it was online marriage license applications.
Now the dogs are getting their day.
Beginning in December, dog owners in Lackawanna County will be able apply, pay and print their dog licenses online under an agreement approved Wednesday by the county commissioners.
To use the online system, dog owners may visit the website, www.padogli cense.com, and follow the instructions on the main page, said Treasurer Edward Karpovich, whose office handles dog licensing in the county.
"The system - I've seen it - is very user-friendly," he said. "It's fast and it's secure."
Mr. Karpovich said there is a $2 fee for the use of the online service. It is on top of the annual license fee, which can range up to $8.45.
Once the online application and payment have been finalized, residents will be able to print their licenses on the spot. The treasurer's office will receive automatic notification and mail the dog tags to the owner, generally within a few days.
Mr. Karpovich said his office is providing the service as a convenience to county residents but also to protect the county's dog population.
The county's 911 emergency dispatchers as well as dog wardens will have around-the-clock access to the online database to facilitate the speedy and safe return of lost dogs to their owners, even on holidays and weekends, he said.