Local News-Thursday, Dec. 28th

It’s official…there will be no property tax increase on the county level in 2007. By unanimous vote, the Board of Commissioners approved a $42.6 million dollar general fund budget, with no increase in taxes for the third year in a row. The spending plan, which was proposed in November, was ratified as presented. The property tax millage remains at 11.98. The ongoing review of cost overruns by Parente Randolph, covering provider contracts in the county MH/MR program appears to be nearing an end. Chairman Frank Staudenmeier announced that a draft cost adjustment report has been received from the firm for program years 2002 through 2004. ReDCo, the service provider, will have until mid-January to review the findings. The final report is expected to be made public at the end of January. The state Bureau of Financial Operations continues to be involved in the process, which has been underway for nearly three years. The board also adopted a LERTA resolution for a portion of Schuylkill Haven. The commissioners heard a presentation last week about the tax break program for commercial and business development in the borough. Schuylkill Haven borough and school district have already adopted similar resolutions. Final approval was given for a pay adjustment to all county employees not otherwise covered by a collective bargaining agreement, effective January 1st.

The Schuylkill County Prison Board met for the final time in 2006 Wednesday. Warden Eugene Berdanier reported that Pottsville Fire Chief Todd March conducted a fire vulnerability assessment at the prison earlier this month. March commended the prison staff for their quick response to the dryer fire at the prison on November 2nd. The water main problem at the prison has been fixed. It appears that several issues outside of the prison caused water pressure problems. Several other repairs were made to plumbing at the prison as well. The population at the Schuylkill County Prison continues at high levels. An average of 305 inmates were incarcerated during December. The peak level was 323 during the month. The ongoing question of whether the county will build a pre-release center remains in limbo. Board Chairman, President Judge William Baldwin pressed the county commissioners for an indication of if or when the project will move forward. Commissioner Chairman Frank Staudenmeier told the board that County Administrator Bill Reppy has been meeting with a committee to explore all options, including the feasibility of building a new prison. Monies from the US Department of Agriculture has not yet been secured, and the proposed site, adjacent to the Frackville State Prison, has not yet been approved by the state Department of Corrections. Commissioner Mantura Gallagher felt that other steps can be taken by the county to move the process along before making a final determination. Baldwin said that as many as 90 inmates, currently in prison, could be serviced at a pre-release facility.

Fire gutted an apartment in Shenandoah Wednesday morning. The blaze broke out at 1401 W. Laurel Street before 7am. The Pottsville Republican reports that the apartment was located on top of a garage, but fire damage was limited to that structure. The apartment was inhabited, but no one was inside at the time of the fire. A cause is not yet known. The investigation continues.

Schuylkill County row officeholders will forego a raise for 4 years. During a special meeting last night at the County Courthouse, the Commissioners announced that they, along with other elected officials, and the county administrator, will have their salaries frozen at 2007 levels from 2008 through 2011. The previous four years had salary increases established by the previous board of commissioners. They are entitled to a 3 percent increase in 2007. The move is being made as part of the county’s pledge to keep costs under control. There have been no tax increases for the past three years on the county level.