Mercer commissioners settle assessment issue

special to the vindicator

MERCER, Pa. — A low-to-moderate-income housing development in the borough won a reduction in its property tax assessment under an agreement reached with the county commissioners.

Commissioners approved a consent order agreement Thursday to settle the appeal of Mercer Housing Partnership II for property at 336 and 338 W. Butler Street. The assessment, which was originally $108,400, was reduced to $49,000 under the agreement, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2006. Commissioners said the matter is still in litigation and added they could not comment on it.

Also Thursday, commissioners approved an agreement with Armstrong Utilities of Butler, to provide Internet services for five years at $700 with a $750 installation fee. The service is for courthouse computers.

Commissioner Brian Beader said the previous provider could not provide the bandwidth needed by the county. He said the new contract saves about $400 monthly.

They also approved purchase of image-enabling software for the Tax Claim Bureau from Infocon Corp., Ebensburg, for a $7,250 licensing fee. The software provides a record-keeping system for microfilmed permanent records.

Commissioners approved three new contracts for 2008-2009 for providers for the Mercer County Mental Health/Retardation program. They include a $3,795 contract with Bayada Nurses, Pittsburgh, for licensed practical nursing services at $8.25 per 15-minute unit; a $462,314 contract with Passavant Memorial Homes, at various locations, for residential services at $4,819 and $4,375 for a half-month and adult development training at $14.76 for 15 minutes; and $720 for Schafer Farm, Espyville for home and community habilitation at $7.50 hourly.

They also promoted Susan Jackson, currently court conference supervisor for domestic relations to conference officer at $37,302 annually and moved enforcement officer Sarah Roberts into Jackson’s old position at $31,713.

They hired Crystal Embry of Grove City as administrative assistant for the public defender’s office at $21,165 annually and Richard Gordon of Pittsburgh as juvenile probation officer at $29,666 annually.