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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; After filing a lawsuit Tuesday against the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, Wilkes-Barre Township and Luzerne County for the redistribution of nearly $3 million in funds, the city of Wilkes-Barre filed an emergency injunction to block any dissemination of the money until the matter is resolved.</p><p>The city already asked for an injunction in Tuesday&#8217;s filing, but the new filing adds new requests.</p><p>Tuesday&#8217;s suit and Wednesday&#8217;s action were both filed by city attorneys Timothy Henry and William Vinsko.</p><p>The dispute stems from a Tax Incremental Financing plan, or TIF, that was created by the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, Wilkes-Barre Township and Luzerne County in 1998.</p><p>The TIF was managed by the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority (RDA), and was originally created to fund improvements to Highland Park Boulevard and Mundy Street.</p><p>Wilkes-Barre became involved with the TIF in 2009 as a result of an amendment, and the city claims its goal was to extend Coal Street to Pennsylvania Avenue.</p><p>The lawsuit is asking the court to award the city reparations after the RDA agreed to redistribute nearly $3 million left over from the TIF after the other three bodies involved said the project was completed.</p><p>Wednesday&#8217;s request for an emergency injunction is seeking to prevent those funds from being paid out immediately.</p><p>The city is asking the court to require the RDA to retain the funds until the Coal Street extension is completed. It is also asking to be determined by the court to be a &#8220;governing body&#8221; in the TIF, meaning the city would need to approve termination of the TIF. </p><p>County Manager C. David Pedri called the lawsuit &#8220;meritless&#8221; on Tuesday, saying it was a sad day for county taxpayers who have to foot the bill for the court fight.</p><p>Mayor Tony George did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The city attorney&#8217;s office said Wednesday it would not comment on pending litigation.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Patrick Kernan</p><p>pkernan@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan</p></shirttailMeta></div>

City files for emergency injunction to prevent distribution of TIF funds