The possible consolidation of at least some of Lackawanna County's row offices appears to be picking up momentum with Register of Wills Linda Munley's decision not to seek re-election in 2013.
State Rep.-elect Kevin Haggerty, D-112, on Monday called on the county commissioners to place a referendum on the May ballot asking voters to approve a Home Rule Charter study commission to look into consolidating the register of wills and recorder of deeds offices.
"It's time to come up with solutions to save the taxpayers money, and this is an opportunity to do something right now," said Mr. Haggerty, who will be sworn in as legislator on Jan. 1.
Commissioner Corey O'Brien said a possible merger of those offices and perhaps others "is certainly something" he and fellow majority Commissioner Jim Wansacz will be looking at closely in January.
The conversation will not be entirely new, Mr. O'Brien said - he has been a proponent of reviewing the pros and cons of row office consolidation for several years.
Although he favors maintaining the district attorney, controller and treasurer as distinct, independent offices, the other row offices should be part of the discussion, Mr. O'Brien said.
The overriding question is always whether a merger of one or more offices would make county government more efficient and save money, he said.
"We are not going to do it because it sounds good," Mr. O'Brien said. "You have to do it because it works."
Mr. Haggerty said a referendum would give voters a chance to vote yes or no on creating a commission to study amending the county Home Rule Charter to consolidate the register of wills and recorder of deeds.
Because the process involves getting the public to come up with "ideas and solutions," the commission itself could decide whether it wants to look at other offices, he said.
"A vote of 'yes' to create this commission is the first step toward lowering taxes for our families living in Lackawanna County," Mr. Haggerty said.
Ms. Munley announced Thursday she will not run for a seventh four-year term as register of wills next year. Mr. O'Brien said her retirement will provide the county with a "unique opportunity" to seriously examine consolidation.
One candidate has already announced plans to run for register of wills, with the stated intention of getting rid of the position by merging its duties with another row office or offices.
In a letter to The Times-Tribune, Olyphant attorney Glenn M. Cashuric said he will take no salary or benefits if elected.
"I will work with the commissioners for a smooth transition to eliminate this office as a stand-alone elected position," he said. "And when there is no further chance for a successor to take my place and reignite the gravy train, I will resign and return full time to the private sector."
Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com