SMETHPORT — The 2021 McKean County Budget has been duly advertised and is available for public inspection. The public may review the spending plan online at the county website on the commissioners’ tab. There is also a counter copy available in the commissioners’ wing of the courthouse.
The proposed budget amounts to $18,095,800. The All Funds budget, which includes liquid fuels allocations, grants and food and other items totals $42,581,982. The commissioners plan to take final action on the budget at their Dec. 22 meeting.
At their Tuesday meeting, commissioners unanimously agreed to the terms of a tax anticipation note from Northwest that carries a 1.05% interest rate. A TAN is a short-term note that state and local governments may use with the intent to repay when tax payments are collected.
In another 3-0 vote, commissioners Ok’d the collective bargaining agreement with The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO Local 3578 for the county prison employees from Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 30, 2022.
Speaking about these contract negotiations, Commissioner Carol Duffy said, “There were four main items discussed during the talks: language, health insurance, salary and length of contract.”
The two-year pact carries a 2% increase for members of the bargaining unit the first year and 2.25% increase the second year. There is also a shift differential of 60 cents per hour to be paid.
Full-time employees will be eligible for health, prescription drug, dental and vision care insurance after three months of employment.
After completing 500 hours of work or after three months, employees will be eligible for a $50,000 life insurance policy.
In other business, commissioners approved 10 tax refunds that were adjusted through formal appeal hearings. Seven sales from the county repository were also approved.
Commissioners also approved the project modification report for the children’s advocacy center grant to request the rollover of unexpended funds to fiscal year 2021 for unspent money due to time, budgetary changes and the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.
There was one personnel matter. In the Human Resources update, Commissioner Chairman Thomas Kreiner said that two new employees have been hired. They are Joseph Pacconelli Jr., a part-time correction officer, and Alex Dynda, second deputy in the comptroller’s office.
Duffy commented on the seriousness of the coronavirus, stating, “The latest information on COVID-19 is definitely going in the wrong direction.”
She noted how important it was to heed the advice of medical professionals to reduce the impact of the pandemic. The other commissioners echoed her comments.
Kreiner said, “We all have the responsibility to slow these numbers, better sooner than later.” He encouraged people to wear masks, practice hand sanitation and disinfecting work areas.
Commissioner Cliff Lane agreed as well.
