Japan sets June trial for Americans accused in Ghosn escape

126879793_web1_COVID-rates-4-28-21

Report: COVID hospitalizations lower than state rate in most area counties

Luzerne County Council unanimously approved a tax break Tuesday for a $120 million warehouse project on mine-scarred land that will eliminate a towering culm bank motorists face as they cross the county line in Hazle Township.
				The approval by all 11 council members was rare for a tax break. Councilman Stephen J. Urban noted he normally wouldn&rsquo;t support one but is voting yes this time.
				Councilman Robert Schnee said the 360-acre site straddling Route 309 would remain deteriorated indefinitely without the project by Fairfield, Connecticut-based Bluecup Ventures. He thanked the company for &ldquo;taking a big chance&rdquo; investing in the development of three warehouses at the site.
				Councilwoman LeeAnn McDermott said the county&rsquo;s real estate tax receipts will increase significantly both during and after the break.
				The county currently receives $5,186 annually on the property as is. Its revenue is estimated to rise to $585,000 during the break and $1.2 million when it expires in a decade.
				Bluecup sought 65% real estate tax reduction on the three new buildings for 10 years instead of the 100% usually requested by developers. The land would remain fully taxable throughout and increase in value once the buildings are constructed, said Jeff Randolph, a Bluecup managing partner.
				In total, the three taxing bodies currently collectively receive $15,439 in real estate tax revenue annually from the property. Bluecup&rsquo;s payments are projected to jump to $1.74 million each year during the break and to $3.6 million after the break is over, the company said.
				As always, Councilman Harry Haas said he does not want the owners of the new properties to obtain assessment reductions when the break is expiring to &ldquo;sock the taxpayers&rdquo; and lower promised revenue projections.
				Randolph has said his figures were based on conservative and realistic estimates of value. He also told Haas the assessments must be based on market value and are set by the county.
				Tax breaks are offered in other jurisdictions and needed to attract development, Randolph said. The county is a prime location close to major highways and cities, but a break offered in a less ideal spot &ldquo;makes a difference&rdquo; to developers and tenants, he told council.
				&ldquo;I wish it didn&rsquo;t, but it does,&rdquo; Randolph said.
				Stormwater bill
				Although it was not on the agenda, Councilman Walter Griffith said the county must pay its overdue stormwater fee.
				The Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority recently sent council a letter informing the county it did not pay the fee since it took effect in January 2019 and suggesting formation of a council committee to discuss partnership options that could lower what the county owes.
				County Manager C. David Pedri said he had requested $10,000 for the stormwater fee payment in the 2021 budget, but council removed it. Councilwoman Linda McClosky Houck said the administration told council several times it was working on a proposed agreement to exchange services for the fee, but none was brought before council.
				Griffith said the county is setting a bad example by ignoring the bill when residents must pay it.
				In 2019, the county was billed around $125,000 for all properties in its name, officials said at the time. However, the lion&rsquo;s share of the county&rsquo;s bill stems from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Pittston Township, which is jointly operated by Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.
				Council Chairman Tim McGinley said Tuesday the airport board has budgeted funds for its portion of the fee.
				Council will discuss the matter at its next meeting, McGinley said.
				Blighted property
				Council also voted Tuesday to grant Nanticoke&rsquo;s request to forgive $8,137 in county back taxes owed on a blighted property the city has acquired to demolish.
				The roof of this property at 1206-1208 Prospect St. caved in last year, and a structural engineer deemed the property unsafe and in immediate danger of collapse, city Manager Donna Wall told council.
				DA raises
				Griffith brought up district attorney&rsquo;s office raises during the work session, saying he will seek a council vote at the May 11 meeting opposing any budget transfer to allow the salary increases.
				County Chief Solicitor Romilda Crocamo issued a legal opinion Monday saying District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce cannot provide raises to three newly promoted administrators without a budget transfer approved by county council. The county&rsquo;s home rule charter is clear that the DA can only transfer funds within his budget if the &ldquo;transfers are not used to increase salaries or create new positions,&rdquo; she said.
				Sanguedolce said he would review the budget/finance figures, likely with legal counsel, before conceding a transfer is needed. Even if a transfer is needed from another salary-related budget account that has funds available, Sanguedolce has argued state law that supersedes the charter grants DAs discretion to decide how their budgeted funds are spent.
				Griffith said he agrees with Crocamo&rsquo;s opinion and believes council must take a &ldquo;firm stance&rdquo; to ensure unbudgeted raises are not granted.

Luzerne County OKs warehouse project tax break