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Lawrence Co. will make payroll
The pension fund is not in danger, the commissioners said.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County will be able to meet its final payroll of 2009 and hopes to be able to come up with $900,000 before the end of the year to make its annual contribution to the pension fund.
Commissioners are beating the bushes for money to meet year-end obligations. After deducting the money required to meet the last payroll, they said both the general fund and reserve funds are at zero, although millions in reimbursements owed by the state could come in at any time.
Actuaries have computed that the county needs to contribute $1.2 million to the employee pension fund in 2009 to keep it fully funded. The county already has paid $300,000 but is hoping more money will come in to make the full pension contribution.
The county is not legally required to make the full contribution, but commissioners said they intend to pay the balance next year if they can’t make it by the end of 2009.
Commissioners said the pension fund is not in any danger. The full contribution is calculated to make sure there is enough money in the account many years from now.
In an attempt to get the state to send some of the money it owes the county, Commissioner Dan Vogler paid a visit Thursday to the Pennsylvania Office of Children, Youth and Families to try to expedite transmission of $1.2 million the office owes in reimbursements to the county for children and youth services.
Vogler was in Harrisburg for the state Harness Racing Commission meeting.
Also, county Treasurer Richard Rapone is asking residents to send their late property-tax payments in as soon as possible.
There is $2.5 million still outstanding as of the end of November, and $297,363 has been collected so far. About $850,000 still needs to come in before year’s end to reach the previous year’s level, he said.
Commissioners also handled these matters:
UCommissioner Steve Craig reported a 911 emergency tower is on schedule to be constructed in the spring at Pa. Routes 388 and 108. The 300-foot tower will provide reception in more areas for police- and fire-department pagers.
UCraig also said the state, which is facing a $100 million revenue deficit each month, has informed the county that a midyear cut is being made to the Children and Youth Services allotment for Lawrence. The amount has not been determined. Craig said the cut will affect Cray Youth and Family Services, which is the county’s biggest provider of residential care for abused and neglected children. The announcement follows $2 million in cuts to this fiscal year’s CYS funds that was announced previously. Craig said the county is “morally compelled” to provide the services for children who have nowhere else to go.
UCommissioners agreed to drop the county’s tax-claim fees on five parcels in Ellwood City that the borough is purchasing. The two acres, which are being sold for back taxes, have an assessed value of $286,200. The land is adjacent to the borough’s sewage-treatment plant.