Union County to hold the line on taxes

LEWISBURG — The Union County commissioners approved a proposed budget of just over $21 million for 2025 during their meeting on Tuesday, marking an increase of $861,105 over last year's spending plan. Taxes will not be increasing.

County Finance Director Jeffery McClintock said the budget increase was driven primarily by a 6.3% rise in medical insurance premiums, along with a 1% step increase in base salaries for eligible employees following a salary study. These adjustments will total $327,000, he added.

Despite the increase, McClintock assured the public there will be no tax increase. The final budget will be adopted at the commissioners' scheduled meeting on Dec. 31.

In addition to the budget discussion, the commissioners accepted the retirement of Elections Director Greg Katherman, after nearly two decades of service to the county.

Deputy Elections Director Laura Seward, who will take over Katherman's position, was also present at the meeting, where she provided an update on the recent election. Seward reported 5,947 mail-in ballots were returned, with 5,534 being counted. She said some ballots were not counted due to issues such as missing signatures or safety envelopes.

Seward further reported an increase in provisional ballots, with 226 ballots cast across the county. Of those, 182 were verified and counted, while the remainder were invalid due to issues like improper registration.

East Buffalo Township (EBT) Precinct 3 poll watcher Maggie Waggoner and Union County Democratic Committee member Joan Moreau raised concerns with paper polling book usage and registration verification, which they said led to confusion and delays at some precincts.

"The problem there (at EBT Precinct 3) was that people were coming in to vote and were told they had to vote provisionally because their registration was late," said Waggoner. "I asked what is a late registration? Either you are or aren't registered."

Seward responded stating that a margin of error could exist if application forms are filed too close to the deadline, in which little time is allotted for the processing of their registration.

"We did learn that we have to do our E-poll books ahead of time. It does take a couple of days to get that database uploaded into the iPads and make sure that information is correct," she said. "We did learn that if we wait as long as we can to print paper poll books, it shouldn't be an issue next time."

Waggoner said Bucknell students primarily faced this issue and that the while an up-to-date paper poll book was present at her voting precinct, it was not used "until several hours later."

"We really need to improve the process for student voters and make sure they're aware of the registration deadlines," said Commissioner Stacy Richards, in response.

Additionally, the county engineer will review the five bids submitted for the government center roof replacement project and make a recommendation for the commissioners to consider at a future meeting.

The lowest apparent bid came from JM Young Roofing, with a price of $167,500. The highest bid was submitted by Dewiler Roofing, totaling $249,000.

The commissioners approved a pass-through contract agreement between Transitions of Pennsylvania and Union County for $36,250. This agreement pertains to the allocation of competitive state grant funds for county projects. McClintock said the county would hear back about the grant in February or March.

The commissioners also addressed the upcoming retirement of Cynthia "Cindy" Moyer, the Chesapeake Bay Specialist, effective April 11, 2025.

Moyer has worked in various roles over her 20-year career, with her most recent position focusing on farmland preservation.

Commissioner Chair Preston Boop praised her extensive knowledge of the field.

"Other individuals in her job across the commonwealth call her for advice because she's been doing it so long. She knows all the ins and outs. Thank you for all you've done," he said.

In other business, the board approved the following:

The Planned Service Agreements between Johnson Controls and Union County for the Trane Controls on-site repairs, in the amount of $5,985, and the Trane Chiller on-site repairs, in the amount of $1,277.

Agland Preservation Sales Agreement between Steven and Ruth Hoover and Lewis Township, in the amount of $372,235.50.