Pa. budget stalemate is affecting counties, commissioner says

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The looming state budget crisis cast a wet blanket over the recent annual conference of the County Commissioners’ Association of Pennsylvania, said Lawrence County Commissioner Steve Craig, who attended it last week.

Craig said the county essentially has a partnership with the state in which “we deliver the services, and they provide part of the funding.” But the budget stalemate between Democrats, Republicans and Gov. Ed Rendell has halted state reimbursements, affecting the county not only in daily operations but also in preparing next year’s county budget.

In light of the state’s failure to yet pass a budget for the fiscal year that started July 1, commissioners agreed Tuesday to add wording to all contract approvals stating the money will be paid depending on the availability of state funds.

Craig said the stalemate also is affecting the county’s planning for its 2010 budget. The county runs on a calendar year. But once the state budget passes, the cuts, which are expected to be included, will date to July 1, affecting this year’s as well as next year’s county spending plan.

Though the county will have to make up cuts in mandated services out of its budget, it has no idea of where the cuts will be, he added.

The commissioners also handled these matters:

UOpened bids for repair of a retaining embankment on the approach to the Banks Covered Bridge on Covered Bridge Road, Wilmington Township. The bridge is one of two county-owned covered spans. Bids were tabled for study. They included Combine Construction, Sharon, $60,601; Shingledecker’s, Franklin, $44,348; Delta Construction, Hermitage, $78,787; and Clearwater Construction, Mercer, $57,970.

UApproved transfer of 636 95-gallon curbside recycling carts to New Wilmington borough to replace the current small recycling bins. Lorraine Ranchod, assistant director of Lawrence County Recycling/Solid Waste, explained the bins were purchased with a state Department of Environmental Protection grant. The old bins will be given to another municipality. The new bins are larger and have wheels and a handle. They are expected to be delivered by the end of September, she said.

UApproved a contract with Dr. Mark Matta, New Castle, to provide professional services for $10,000 for Mental Health/Mental Retardation from July 1 of this year to June 30, 2010. They also approved a $26,507 agreement with Passavant Memorial Homes Inc., Harmar Township, to provide professional services for the same period.

UCommended Shirley Noga, director of the Veterans Affairs office, for recently coming to the aid of a veteran who was in dire need of help because of health problems and living arrangements.