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Luzerne County will be cashing in on expiring tax breaks, manager says

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Wilkes-Barre ends first quarter with positive balance of $7.7 million

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; City council on Tuesday took the first step to extend the life of the Wilkes-Barre Parking Authority for another 50 years after an &#8220;oversight&#8221; missed the renewal in 2008.</p><p>At a special meeting council passed the first of two readings of an ordinance to extend the authority&#8217;s term. Council set a second meeting for 6 p.m. on June 5.</p><p>The ordinance will take effect 10 days later and put the authority in compliance to purchase the Park &amp; Lock East parkade from the city for $1.55 million. The sale is necessary to balance Mayor Tony George&#8217;s $50.4 million 2019 budget. The authority that operates parking garages and a surface lot also contributes $150,000 in annual revenue to the city.</p><p>Tom Torbik, executive director of the authority, said the lapse was discovered while preparing the closing documents for the parkade purchase.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s an oversight for sure,&#8221; Torbik said. The ordinance will correct the mistake and allow for the sale that&#8217;s been in the works for months, he added.</p><p>Assistant City Attorney Maureen Collins responded to questions about the ordinance and whether any business conducted by the authority after its term expired on Aug. 18, 2008 was null and void. The authority was still in compliance with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Collins said, and its articles of incorporation will be amended to include the extension pending the passing of the ordinance.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a formality just to ensure that all the records are in order,&#8221; Collins said.</p><p>City Clerk Jim Ryan said each authority acts independently of the city and most have their own solicitor. &#8220;In my opinion, the solicitor should be responsible for that,&#8221; Ryan said of making sure the authority&#8217;s term is up to date.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wilkes-Barre Parking Authority’s term lapsed in 2008; city council votes to extend it for 50 years