2-week furloughs help Lawrence Co. save money

By Mary Grzebieniak

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Lawrence County ended 2009 with a $245,095 balance, County Controller David Gettings has told county commissioners. Gettings said later that that the amount would not have been enough to meet even one payroll. The commissioners furloughed employees for two weeks at the end of the year to save costs in the light of a potential deficit.

Officials have said in the past that payrolls run $500,000 to $700,000 every two weeks, depending on whether benefits are included.

In addition, Lawrence County Treasurer Richard Rapone said that December county property-tax collections were disappointing, totaling $233,956 less than December 2008.

Rapone said that property-tax collections overall also were down, with $16,545,120 collected in 2009 compared with $16,610,625 in 2008, a reduction of $65,505. There still are 6,632 unpaid parcels with $1.7 million in unpaid taxes outstanding compared to 6,077 in 2008 amounting to $1.4 million. He said this calculates to a 90 percent tax-collection rate, lower than for the last two years.

Rapone said there was one bit of good news in the year-end report. He said the $2 million tax- anticipation note borrowed at the beginning of 2009 was paid off four months early for an interest savings of $31,626.

In other business at their meeting Tuesday, commissioners:

UReappointed Helen Jackson, Dave Whiting and Michael Lehman to three-year terms on the County Agricultural Preservation Board. They allotted $9,000 for the agricultural preservation fund, and that amount will be matched with $18,000 from the state.

UNamed James Jendrysik to a three-year term on the Children and Youth Services Board.

UApproved a six-month renewal of the lease with Dr. Mohammad Ali for property at 217 N. Jefferson St., where the Mental Health/Mental Retardation offices are located. The cost remains the same at $7 per square foot.

USaid they still are seeking county residents to volunteer to serve on the Municipal Authority, the Redevelopment Authority and the Industrial Authority. Criminal background checks are needed for anyone serving on the boards. Those interested should send a letter to the commissioners or attend one of their meetings.

USigned an agreement with eCedent.com, Indiana, Pa., for software, technical support, upgrades and other services for $2,994 with a $500 annual renewal fee.

UAppointed themselves to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission for one-year terms and County Administrator James Gagliano for a three-year term. The commission is the official metropolitan-planning organization for the 10-county region, which includes Lawrence.