County proposes $29M budget

BY STACI WILSON

The proposed $29 million 2016 budget for Susquehanna County was made available for public review on Friday, Nov. 13. Copies of the budget are available at the county courthouse.

Commissioner Alan Hall said there are no major changes to this year’s budget and taxes are expected to hold steady for the coming year.

The commissioners’ meeting was held on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, while the courthouse was closed for other business.

At the end of the meeting, Commissioner MaryAnn Warren said she found it disrespectful that one person in the audience chose to not rise for the pledge to the American flag “especially with it being Veterans Day.”

Another audience member came to the person’s defense, stating that although he did not agree with the person, she was exercising her First Amendment rights by not standing.

He went on to say he found it more disrespectful that the county would hold a meeting on the holiday.

In other business, the commissioners approved a seminar request tabled at the prior meeting. The District Attorney’s office request for victim witness coordinator Erica Johnson to attend a conference, “Advocating During Difficult Cases,” was approved.

The hiring of William Wolfe, Union Dale, to a Deputy Sheriff position by Sheriff Lance Benedict was acknowledged by the commissioners. The effective date of hire was Monday, Nov. 9.

The Tax Claim Bureau was authorized by the commissioners to accept any negotiated price for three parcels:

*a parcel in the name of Emery F. and Laura Mae Thorn, Susquehanna Borough;

*a parcel in the name of Fran Fleming, New Milford Borough;

*a parcel in the name of Joseph and Joanna Turcotte, Forest City Borough.

November 15 was proclaimed America Recycles Day in Susquehanna County.

The Susquehanna County Commissioners meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m., in the commissioners meeting room of the Susquehanna County Courthouse in Montrose. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m.