Mercer County makes payment on loan debt

MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer County has made another payment on the debt owed by Woodland Place, bringing to $1.15 million the total the county has had to pay on the loan it guaranteed for the nonprofit corporation.
County Controller Thomas Amundsen said Thursday that the county paid $205,664 Sept. 1. The county must come up with the payments because it guaranteed the loan. So far, Amundsen said, the payments have been on interest only.
The county's guarantee of the loan dates to 2003 when Woodland Place issued $8.8 million in tax-free bonds.
Also Thursday, commissioners:
Approved a contract for Family Care for Children & amp; Youth Inc., Lewisburg, Pa., to provide homemaker services for up to $200,000 per year for Children and Youth Services clients. The program includes personal instruction for clients in operating clean, safe homes, officials said.
Hired Christie Dennis as fiscal assistant for the fiscal office at $24,344 annually. Fiscal Director John Logan said she has an accounting degree and a background in auditing.