County approves $29M budget

BY STACI WILSON

Susquehanna County will operate with just under a $29 million budget in 2015.

The county commissioners approved the budget at the Wednesday, Dec. 24 meeting. Taxpayers will see no increase in the coming year, and will continue to reap a two mill credit on their county taxes from Act 13 funding.

Commissioner Michael Giangrieco opposed signing on for consulting services with MCM Consulting Group Inc. at a cost of $3,750 per month.

Giangrieco said he had a “dust-up” with the consultants over the costs. “My dust-up won’t mean anything if I make the motion,” he said and Commissioner MaryAnn Warren brought the item to the table for consideration with Commissioner Alan Hall offering the second.

MCM consulting provides its professional services for the county’s new fiberoptic system, as well as the telephone and IT wiring, Hall said. The county would also be using the consultants for an proposed upgrade to the security system in the coming year.

Giangrieco said he opposed the move on a philosophical level. “All consultants are paid too much money for what they do,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, everybody charges too much money.”

And although he offered up the lone “no” vote, Giangrieco did say, “They do a good job and have been very helpful in what we’ve used them for.”

Hall said he believed the group was worth the county dollars being spent. “They’ve already saved us more than we’ve paid,” he said.

The commissioners signed two change orders for the purchase of additional windows from Pella Products Inc. of Pittston. The additional charges total about $50,000. New windows are being installed at the county courthouse complex.

The commissioner adopted a resolution for Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT). The county will be issued a credit card to use instead of the currently utilized cards. The credit card can be used to pay bills through electronic check transfers and the county will receive money back from using the card.

Hall said he expects the county to receive $20,000-$50,000 back from the card this year.

The commissioners signed the lease agreement with Trehab for the use of the 19 county public transportation vehicles, July 1 through June 30, 2015, at a charge of $1 per vehicle.

Trehab administers the county’s transportation program and maintains the vehicles.

The standby generator project bid was awarded to Joyce Electrical of Eynon, in the amount of $219,000.

The commissioners agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with United Way of Susquehanna County for a one-time contribution of $5,000 to link Susquehanna County to the 2-1-1 program pending the review and approval of the county solicitor.

The 2-1-1 program will redirect non-emergency calls from the 9-1-1 center to help callers get the assistance they need, Hall explained. It acts as an information center.

The United Way funding keeps the 2-1-1 programs going and helps to fund the connectivity.

The commissioners also voted to sign the Frontier Services agreement for equipment and services pending review and approval by the solicitor.

The county only received one bid for refuse service for the coming year. The bid from Joe’s Disposal will be reviewed by the commissioners.

The transfer of David Frendendall to the position of Field Appraiser in the Assessment Office, effective Jan. 8, 2015, was approved.

The commissioners acknowledged the hiring of Sandra Henry, Hop Bottom, to an open Clerk of Courts position, effective Dec. 15.

The transfer of Justin Polembka to a full-time corrections officer position, effective Dec. 12, was approved by the commissioners.

John Butler and Katherine Shelly were reappointed to the County Planning Commission for a term beginning Jan. 1, 2015 and running through Dec. 31, 2018.

Joseph Matis was reappointed as a Housing Authority Director for a five-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2015 and ending Dec. 31, 2020.