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Luzerne Co. Battling for Loan to Cover Budget Shortfall

Luzerne Co. Battling for Loan to Cover Budget Shortfall - Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 12:16PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday, Oct 7, 2008 @ 12:16am EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Before a judge grants Luzerne County permission to borrow millions, county managers and tax payers will continue to spar in court. Testimony Monday eclipsed an entire day's worth of court. Judge Ann Lokuta scheduled proceedings to begin Tuesday at 11:15 a. m..

County Commissioner Maryann Petrilla said if the $16 million loan isn't granted, government will shutdown by mid-November. But taxpayer Walter Griffith, who is representing his interest as a taxpayer in court, argued the county's departments have all come in under budget.

He suggests excessive spending by commissioners is reason for the budget gap. He told us permission to obtain the loan should be denied.

Luzerne County was in a similar situation last year. Former budget director Sam Diaz went before cameras saying government would be coming to a screeching halt because a taxpayer had challenged the county's position to borrow tens of millions of dollars.

The filing by Wilkes-Barre resident Tim Grier hamstrung the county's ability to pay a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN). The issue was later rejected by the state. The county eventually paid the TAN in time. A shutdown was averted.

But Griffith said the notion of borrowing to pay bills has now risen to a scare tactic by county leaders. He said workers and residents are threatened by the thought if the county doesn't get its hands on the millions, it will be lights out at the courthouse and other government services.

Testimony in court suggested county management held a meeting Friday informing staff to draft a plan in light of an absence of cash, meaning no payroll or other county services that residents rely on.

County commissioners said there's enough money in the bank to make it to November.

 


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