Luzerne County Council 2020 budget whittling expected to start Tuesday

Dec. 2--With a week remaining before Luzerne County's Dec. 10 budget adoption, county council is set to start voting Tuesday on changes to the suggested 2020 spending plan.

The proposed $153.49 million general fund operating budget seeks a 5% real estate tax hike that would amount to $30 more annually on a $100,000 property.

Tuesday's meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre.

Pension fund

Before council votes on budget alterations, county employee pension fund representatives will address Councilman Harry Haas' proposed amendment to lower the tax hike by not paying an additional $1.5 million subsidy to the fund.

The annual taxpayer pension contribution is rising from $9.35 million to $10.85 million based on the fund actuary's estimate. Haas suggested paying $9.35 million but not the increase next year.

Haas argued the county would be in a better position to "play catch-up" closing a gap between fund assets and future obligations in 2030, when debt from borrowing is scheduled to be repaid.

Fund representatives are expected to discuss the negative financial ramifications of ignoring the actuary's recommendation.

County Retirement Board members also will hold a public meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the courthouse.

Other agenda topics

Three contracts are up for council approval Tuesday selecting an insurance broker and suppliers of a new paper-trail voting system and 911 emergency radio communication system.

The administration is recommending keeping Bethlehem-based Brown & Brown of Lehigh Valley as insurance broker for two more years, with an option third-year renewal, at the company's current fee of $60,000 annually.

County Manager C. David Pedri recommended a $3.6 million contract with Dominion Voting Systems Inc. for the voting equipment and a $24.7 million contract with Motorola Solutions Inc. for a 911 conversion to digital radio.

These prices would include five years of maintenance for the voting system and 20 years for the 911 radio one, Pedri said.

Election Board

The county election board will meet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the county's Penn Place building at Market Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilkes-Barre.

Pedri said he plans to consult with the board about his choice to fill the election director position vacated by Marisa Crispell. Twenty applied, and Pedri has the final say but must seek input from the election board.

Council budget

County council's portion of the proposed 2020 budget is $255,502, or about the same as this year.

The expenses covered by this allocation include compensation for the 11 elected council members, the staff council clerk and county audit and accounting services budgeted at $101,000.

County manager allocation

Pedri is requesting an allocation of $285,846 next year for his department, or $8,000 more.

The increase is related to compensation for Pedri and the department's two staffers other staffers.

As requested for other departments, Pedri budgeted up to 2% more for the two nonunion workers in his department.

He also included a 2% pay raise for himself as specified in his four-year employment agreement approved by council in September 2018.

His salary is $132,000 this year and will increase by $2,640 in 2020, for a new annual total of $134,640.

The proposed budget also includes $2,000 for bonuses that may be provided under Pedri's employment agreement -- $1,000 if an unqualified county audit is completed by June 30 and $1,000 if Pedri scores 80% or greater on his annual performance review completed by council.

Under the agreement, Pedri must provide a 30-day notice if he resigns. Council retains its home rule charter power to terminate the manager.

Tree lighting

The annual county courthouse tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the courthouse rotunda.

The event is open to the public.

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

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