Pocono News Section

Northumberland County Budget Deficit Looms

Northumberland County Budget Deficit Looms - Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 11:10PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Thursday, Aug 6, 2009 @ 11:10pm EST

SUNBURY, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY -- Commissioners here are in the same position as others across Northeast and Central PA. They're facing a budget deficit and aren't sure how to make up for the $1 million.

"Maybe raise taxes a little bit," said Bill Hudson, who has owned "Pop" Snyder's Lunch in Sunbury for 13 years. "But to go in extreme in either direction, I wouldn't suggest that right now."

County officials have a few choices -- cut some jobs and services, make the 850 county workers take a day without pay each month, or raise taxes -- something commissioners don't want.

Dozens of employees were at Thursday's meeting to discuss ways to save money. District Attorney Tony Rosini had a few suggestions, including moving extra money from debt services to the general fund, offering early retirement for high-paid employees, and making sure people don't have unnecessary insurance.

"There was a study done by a private corporation within their own employees that found people had dual insurance," said Rosini. "And it cost the county at least $7,000 for an individual's insurance, and I think it's $12,000 and more for a family."

Mountain View Manor, the county nursing home, is making money. But it's administrator, Al Konrad, realizes cuts could come.

"We can only be as healthy as the county is, and if the county is not healthy financially, the manor wouldn't be," said Konrad.

Bill Hudson just hopes commissioners take their time before making any dramatic decisions.

"It's really going to put a hardship on the county," added Hudson.

One of the commissioners, Vinny Clausi, is expected to make a motion at next Tuesday's meeting. If passed, it would force county employees to take one unpaid furlough day each month starting September 1st and ending December 31, 2010.