Luzerne County’s financial advisor Public Financial Management is set to present an annual update on the county’s outstanding debt during Tuesday’s council work session.
With this year’s payment factored in, the county owes $165 million in principal and interest, according to a report included with the agenda.
Annual debt repayments range from $26.36 million to $26.7 million until 2030, when a final $6.2 million is owed, it said.
County officials have held up debt reduction as a major achievement because outstanding debt had ballooned to $466 million in 2009, before the county’s 2012 switch to home rule. The debt stemmed from years of borrowing to cover capital projects, deficits and other spending.
The average interest rates on the county debt range from 2.17% to 3.68%, the report said.
PFM’s report also reiterated the county’s Standard and Poor’s credit rating upgrade to an A rating in February 2023.
The rating could continue to improve with gains in the economy and the growth and maintenance of the county’s reserves, the report said. Conversely, the rating could backtrack if the county adopts structurally imbalanced budgets, materially weakens reserves, shorts the employee pension fund contribution or unexpectedly issues new debt, it said.
Tuesday’s work session follows a 6 p.m. voting meeting at the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre, with instructions for remote attendance posted under council’s online meetings link at luzernecounty.org.
Election resolution
A proposed county “election worker protection ordinance” presented by Councilwoman Joanna Bryn Smith also is on the work session for discussion.
For the ordinance to pass, a public hearing and majority council approval would be necessary at a future meeting.
All four Democratic council members — Bryn Smith, Patty Krushnowski, Jimmy Sabatino and Brittany Stephenson — had voted to introduce the ordinance so it could advance to discussion and debate, while the remaining seven Republican council members opposed introduction.
Bryn Smith has revised the proposal to remove directives for the district attorney’s office.
Voting meeting
Tuesday’s voting meeting includes decisions on proposals to keep Elite Revenue Solutions LLC as the county’s tax-claim operator and retain Michael Baker International Inc. to update the county’s hazard mitigation plan.
Votes also are scheduled on the use of county interest earnings from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to replace the county-owned Harris Hill Road Bridge in Kingston Township ($1.9 million) and Sleepy Hollow Bridge in Butler Township ($1.2 million).
Study commission
The county’s Government Study Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the county courthouse.
Authorized by county April 23 primary election voters, the commission has until early 2025 to determine if alterations to the existing home rule charter are warranted and, if so, another nine months to draft proposed changes. An extra two months is allowable if the commission is recommending electing council by district instead of at large.
Voters would have to approve the changes for them to take effect.
Information on commission meetings, including how to attend them remotely, is posted under its section on the main page of the county website at luzernecounty.org.
Housing report
A lengthy new report on the state of county housing, summarized in an article last week, has been posted in full on the main page of the county’s website at luzernecounty.org.
Council had earmarked $150,191 in American Rescue funding to The Institute in Wilkes-Barre to analyze housing needs.
Solar workshop
The county and Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors are co-sponsoring a free educational workshop on utility-scale solar projects and the implications for local municipalities, according to an online posting.
The workshop is Oct. 25 at the county operations building in Wyoming. Registration is required by Oct. 16. More information is available on the main page at luzernecounty.org.
Bednar resigns
Michelle Bednar is leaving her position overseeing the county’s clerk of courts and prothonotary office because she has accepted another position outside county government, according to an announcement.
Bednar, a former county controller, has been managing the county criminal and civil court record and filing offices since February 2023 — a position that had opened because prior manager Jim Haddock was elected state representative in the 118th Legislative District.
A Conyngham Township resident, Bednar received $54,325 annually in the position.
Prior to home rule, the offices operated independently and were managed by an elected prothonotary and elected clerk of courts. A reorganization in 2013 put one manager in charge of both offices.
County Manager Romilda Crocamo informed council of the resignation last week, saying Bednar’s last day will be Oct. 11. She thanked Bednar for her “professionalism, insight and unwavering dedication.”
“During her tenure, Michelle has made significant contributions to our county, showcasing her dedication and commitment to public service. As prothonotary, she has worked diligently to ensure the efficient management of legal documents and court records, enhancing the accessibility of these essential services for our residents. Additionally, her previous role as county controller underscored her fiscal responsibility and commitment to transparency in government operations,” Crocamo wrote.
Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.
