Final Luzerne County 2020 budget released

Jan. 2--After a flurry of council amendments were factored in, Luzerne County's 2020 general fund operating budget ended up at $152.35 million, according to a newly released copy of the final document.

It's nearly $1.14 million less than the proposal initially presented by county Manager C. David Pedri and resulted in a 2020 real estate tax hike of 3.25% instead of 5%.

With this increase, the owner of a $100,000 property will pay $617 in county taxes next year, or about $19 more. It's unclear if a council majority will support reopening the budget to consider changes after four new members are seated on Monday.

Posted on the budget/finance section at www.luzernecounty.org, the final budget captures the outcome of council's hours of discussion and voting on more than 100 proposed amendments the night the plan was adopted Dec. 10.

Prison system

As usual, the correctional services division received the highest department allocation -- $29.3 million, or $901,000 more. That amounts to 19% of the general fund budget.

The lion's share of the increase -- $647,000 -- is for pay increases for unionized prison system workers, with total union compensation now budgeted at $16.6 million, analysis shows.

These pay increases are not set in stone because correctional officers and other union prison staff have been working under a collective bargaining agreement that expired the end of 2018.

The administration has taken a stance that funds should be set aside because raises would be likely in 2020, or the second year of a new contract.

Represented by LIUNA Local 1310, the prison union workers recently approved a proposed new agreement that will require upcoming county council approval to take effect, officials said. Although not been exercised in this round of negotiating, the union has the option for binding arbitration.

Another contributor to the increase: inmate health costs are rising approximately $300,000 due to a new contract that beefs up mental health services.

In total, the correctional division is set to bring in $1.1 million in revenue, or an increase of $146,300.

Court and others

The court branch received the second highest department allocation -- $19.17 million, or an increase of $349,000.

However, the branch is compensating for the increase and then some with a $524,500 rise in revenue, which is budgeted at a total $7.9 million.

Some of the additions in the courts and district attorney's office stem from services added, with corresponding revenue, because they are no longer provided by Catholic Social Services.

The court earmark covers administration, magisterial district courts, probation and domestic relations.

The final 2020 budgets for some other departments and how they compare to 2019:

--District Attorney -- spending, $5 million ($434,000 more); revenue, $1.28 million ($439,800 more)

--Law -- spending, $2.3 million ($89,000 more); revenue, $60,000 (no change)

This covers the solicitor's office and conflict counsel.

--Budget/Finance -- spending $3.25 million ($94,000 more); revenue, $126.4 million ($4.7 million more)

Most of the revenue increase stems from the tax hike, which is budgeted to boost real estate tax receipts to $114.6 million. The $8.5 million budgeted from back taxes remains the same.

In addition to budget/finance staff, the division covers expenses for tax collection, property assessment and the treasurer's office.

--Administrative Services -- spending $5.5 million ($207,200 more); revenue $595,700 ($5,400 less)

The division includes expenses for human resources, voter services, mapping/GIS, purchasing, information technology, licensing and liability/property insurance.

--Operational Services -- spending $4.95 million ($136,100 more); revenue $1.046 million ($156,800 more)

The following departments are included in this division: planning/zoning, building/grounds, boiler plant, emergency management, road/bridge, engineers and a small portion of the 911 budget.

--Judicial Services and Records -- spending $4.85 million ($25,000 more); revenue $4.9 million ($31,600 more)

The division covers records storage and these departments: deeds/wills, coroner, prothonotary, sheriff/security and clerk of courts.

--Human Services -- spending $9 million ($585,600 more)

The earmark is the county match that comes from the general fund for Children and Youth and other human service agencies. Agency expenses and outside funding are set in separate budgets.

--Public Defender -- spending $2.58 million ($14,700 more); revenue $330,000 ($6,000 more)

--Controller -- spending $273,900 ($740 more); revenue $375 (no change)

Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.

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