The LuLac Edition #1948, February 16th, 2012

"In their own words".

FROM THE COUNCIL

The Luzerne County Council sent me some information regarding their thoughts on the launching of the new government. Two major accomplishments was the hiring of a permanent manager as well as passing a budget. Take a look:
To the Citizens of Luzerne County:
While we understand that many people may question our vote on the 2012 budget, we believe that this decision, made after much research and much soul-searching, is in the best interests of the County at this time.
This budget:
increases taxes by $10 on properties assessed at $100,000 (Many county properties are assessed at less than that amount, and so the additional cost to many homeowners will be less than $10);
eliminates 78 positions among County employees for 2012, realizing approximately $2 million in savings;
attacks the $25 million debt service on the $450 million total debt inherited from those who elected to govern in the past 10 years by borrowing against our County’s future;
allows the new County Manager to analyze and reorganize County operations over this year and in the future and to make surgical cuts that will right-size the government rather than hasty amputations that could endanger public safety and compromise the services offered to those who need them the most.
Those of us who were sworn in as members of County Council on January 2, 2012 were essentially “handed the bill” for a maxed-out credit card after a decade of wild living by past leadership. For those who live within their means, it is nearly incomprehensible to understand a debt that is 4 times their annual income. This compares to a family with an annual income of $30,000 and credit card debt of $120,000 that grows by over $6,000 annually.
Even as we face a new future in our County under Home Rule government, we Council members must face the questionable legacy left by those who governed before us and make decisions that may be difficult but will nevertheless help Luzerne County to get on the path to financial stability.
The members of the County Council have invested countless hours over the past few months to begin the process of restoring trust, accountability, and professionalism in Luzerne County government as we selected a new professional manager and began to implement procedures and policies with ethical foundations. Those of us who support this budget believe that it allows the County to attack the monstrous debt and to restructure our government in a responsible way.
This budget BUILDS TRUST by acknowledging that we are partners in overcoming the financial issues that face us as a result of more than a decade of borrowing to meet operating expenses. The increase in revenue is strictly dedicated to payment on the debt, and the reduction in staff of 78 positions aims to right-size the County workforce.
This budget BUILDS ACCOUNTABILITY by mandating department heads to trim budgets and reduce staff by almost 4%. When more cuts come over the next few years, they will be done in a calculated way that will maintain services, especially those that protect the most vulnerable in our midst. The charter mandates restructuring and new accountability codes that will, over time, "separate the wheat from the chaff" and result in an efficient and well-trained workforce. The current “hiring freeze” will segue into accountability for management to justify and explain changes in staff.
This budget LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR PROFESSIONALISM by giving our new manager, Bob Lawton, the time to see what works, what needs correction, and what needs cuts. In any corporate acquisition, new leadership takes time to evaluate all operations in order to make changes, and tough decisions are made within the first year. Expect Mr. Lawton to evaluate all programs first and then consolidate services, trim fat, and make staff adjustments based on workplace efficiency.
Please understand that we share your concern for a right-sized government that operates efficiently. That concern is what led us to run for office. Although we did not create the problems that face us today as a County, we are faced with the task of making the tough decisions that help us to solve those problems. We, the undersigned, have determined that this budget is the best choice we can make at this point in time, even while we respect the differing opinions of our fellow Council members.
In embracing Home Rule, Luzerne County residents took the first step to reclaim and rebuild our government. We can, and we will, reinvent our local government by right-sizing it and making it accountable to those who pay the bills. This cannot be done in one month, in one budget, or even in one term on council, but we move in that direction starting today.
We ask your patience in the next few years as we implement professional management of County operations and restructure the government so that it works well for all of us.

Sincerely,

Jim Bobeck
Harry Haas
Eugene Kelleher
Elaine Maddon Curry
Linda McClosky Houck
Tim McGinley