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Luzerne County Council receives update on outstanding debt

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Look Back: Blaze destroyed Stanton colliery in 1932

The proposed 2021 budgets for Luzerne County&rsquo;s court system and judicial services and records division are up for review at county council&rsquo;s Monday work session.
				Three branches fall under the court in addition to its administration &mdash; magisterial district courts, probation services and domestic relations.
				In total, the proposed budget allocates $19.6 million in expenses for the courts, or nearly $464,000 more than this year.
				On the revenue side, the courts would bring in $8.07 million, which is an increase of $150,000, in 2021.
				Several departments are in the judicial services and records division: the records storage facility in Hanover Township and the deeds/wills, coroner, prothonotary/clerk of courts and sheriff/security offices.
				Overall, this division brings in nearly as much as it spends through a variety of fees and other revenue from services.
				Division expenses are budgeted at a proposed $4.94 million, which would be $79,700 more. Meanwhile, revenue is projected at $4.88 million, which is $66,500 less.
				Among the changes highlighted in the division&rsquo;s budget worksheet:
				&#8226; The sheriff/security department is saving $2,000 on union length-of-service longevity bonuses due to the retirement of more senior staff, but it is seeking $4,000 more to outfit new employees.
				This department also is requesting $38,000 &mdash; or $10,000 more &mdash; for capias-related expenses, citing increased inmate transport costs, largely stemming from COVID-19.
				&#8226; The deeds/wills department needs an additional $900 to cover longevity bonuses for two employees but is set to bring in $18,000 more due to a trend of higher realty transfer tax commissions.
				&#8226; The coroner&rsquo;s office is asking for a $60,000 increase to cover forensic examinations, bringing that cost to a proposed $200,000. Another $90,000 is requested for toxicology &mdash; $25,000 more &mdash; to cover increased testing required to determine the cause and manner of death &ldquo;with reasonable certainty.&rdquo;
				&#8226; The prothonotary/clerk of courts is shaving $2,500 from its overtime, in part due to operational efficiencies, and needs $1,400 less for longevity bonuses because of multiple retirements.
				Intergovernmental expenses
				A proposed $8.2 million in budget allocations to some outside entities also are on Monday&rsquo;s agenda for discussion.
				These earmarks, according to county Budget/Finance Division Head Brian Swetz:
				&#8226; Luzerne County Community College, $6.19 million
				&#8226; Penn State Extension, $23,800 toward space rental and a $225,900 allocation
				&#8226; Mountain Council of Governments, $5,000
				&#8226; Luzerne Conservation District, $15,000
				&#8226; Luzerne County public library system, $900,000
				&#8226; County Transportation Authority, $666,675
				&#8226; Hazleton Transit, $180,000
				&#8226; Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development, $15,000
				&#8226; Wilkes-Barre Law Library, $500
				Swetz said all amounts are the same as this year with the exception of mandated 5% increases for the county transportation authority and Hazleton Transit required for matches.
				Monday&rsquo;s budget work session is virtual and starts at 5 p.m. Directions on attending the session are posted under council&rsquo;s public meetings online link at <a href="https://www.luzernecounty.org/1279/Public-Meetings-Online" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">luzernecounty.org</a>.
				The administration&rsquo;s proposed $154.65 million budget keeps county real estate taxes at 6.1696 mills, which equates to a payment of $616.96 on a $100,000 property. A mill is $1 tax for every $1,000 in assessed value.
				Council has scheduled several budget discussion sessions before its plan adoption in December.

Luzerne County 2021 budget work sessions continue today