Lackawanna County taxpayers would foot the bill for a commission to study the county's form of government - if the proposed referendum were to get on the May 21 ballot and if it were approved by voters.
Under the state's home rule charter law, funding the operations of a government study commission is the responsibility of the local governing body. That is the county commissioners, in this case.
State law does not outline specific funding guidelines, using only terms such as "necessary" and "reasonable," according to the state Department of Community and Economic Development. It would be up to the elected commission to prepare a proposed budget and present it to the commissioners.
The major expenses incurred by a study commission generally include secretarial assistance, legal fees and printing costs, although the panel may also retain consultants. Members of the commission are not paid but may seek reimbursement for their expenses.
In Luzerne County, the government study commission that recommended the switch to the council-manager form of government approved by voters in 2010 cost just over $60,000.
The county commissioners allocated $89,400 for the commission's operations but $29,121 was not spent, according to a 2011 audit.
Contact the writer: dsingelton@timesshamrock.com