[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6520637,"mediaKeyId","5177866-96e639faa7f51f33474004115992c970","parentId",5177866,"title","Carbon County commissioners warn state budget impasse is straining county finances and services","audioSeconds",708,"startMs",1440000,"endMs",2148000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5177866-96e639faa7f51f33474004115992c970&start=1440&end=2148","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5177866-96e639faa7f51f33474004115992c970/thumbnail_1440000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520637/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Carbon-County-commissioners-warn-state-budget-impasse-is-straining-county-finances-and-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520637-f01ae69bb0602478af93f451b902d849/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161462&Signature=gbl2esCkrJ7ll56Zc6Fo8n35ApKh2ogMDv~fqgoBw3DC3GU01QlX8s2F5oV0I8KqSGwu7ejv70MGRx4MeP00owNTimmJXl5atgIkcre6BpNRLCA2BgfYpfVGnD61iuWH7Ssnc2JRbGAqtoWXVL1O2WsZ12DDwvcKE6rZJKp0g1AghfGDqwZc6J-hjiBR45jDAL6W~E0KAx~u8A8CknyzPkKxfj5aMu27SAgnA41vQIKvy1YS8RHSZSsCXok0034kjyV~IQsNxU8Qeml-gO1XWsJ8jck482eaHVnN~tPSTdQYmGYth4UFADmdIiXioSBoNdr7NkKSaNdMRtaTOB4N4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carbon County, PA","date","2025-07-03T00:00:00Z","article","During commissioner reports at the July 3, 2025 meeting, Carbon County commissioners described the state budget impasse as an immediate fiscal risk that is increasing county spending and borrowing needs.

Commissioners said many state-funded programs — including children and youth services, the office of aging, mental‑health funding that flows through county‑level authorities, and 9‑1‑1 services — continue to operate but that state payment delays shift the upfront cost to county coffers. Commissioner remarks noted the county’s fund balance is being used to cover these obligations and that interest earnings lost while waiting for state reimbursements reduce available savings. One commissioner said the county may need short‑term loans to meet payroll and vendor obligations if the impasse continues.

The commissioners linked the funding pressures to other county priorities, including bridge repairs. They described active efforts to pursue grant funding — including a McCormick grant application for roughly $1.6 million to support bridge repair in Packer Township — and said the county is applying for multiple grants to reduce the local match burden. Commissioners cautioned that some infrastructure work will be delayed without additional outside funding and that bridge closings could shift traffic to remaining structures.

The board urged state leaders to pass a budget and criticized the pattern of late budgets in recent years; commissioners emphasized the real costs borne by counties when state appropriations are delayed.

Ending
Commissioners said staff would continue to pursue grants and to monitor cash flow, but they warned county residents and employees that continued state budget delay would require more aggressive fiscal measures and could affect the timing of some local projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners' Meeting 7-3-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners used their July 3 meeting to warn that Pennsylvania's unresolved state budget is shifting costs to counties, increasing the county's borrowing risk and threatening services including children and youth, aging, 9‑1‑1 and bridge projects.","taxTitle","Carbon County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71753,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520641,"Commissioners table school‑linked ‘Impact Project’ contract, seek solicitor review and county‑specific changes",173,2196000,2369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5177866-96e639faa7f51f33474004115992c970&start=2196&end=2369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5177866-96e639faa7f51f33474004115992c970/thumbnail_2196000.jpg","/articles/6520641/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Commissioners-table-schoollinked-Impact-Project-contract-seek-solicitor-review-and-countyspecific-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520641-1a6f6017238e07db3374f75a9467b40b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161462&Signature=RS1R4HwPvZSs9cs9CwbsNKd-BwndIlgY6O2qUY6~sUK~Zdrpat79rccA0OxY6ZDiJ9uO0FqYXpHus6bxkfuCs9buV7k9Aa5Sr-oaWTca9ho10CFFozo9-dugUFEMjUMOogcNSI6AHMAuZ1u~dzOYa97uqupK-v7f5vUdwwIo8vw8R7slpOvfjfUAL-5fYA~kYCoZwVL6d-QezmwjjBJnGuOffLpsZ3l~Us-AGdiwsg7BxQGSetRwP~AgwV-4weFy2us0j1M4deY~7iZGE9Gqi~-KP3cM1AzOkqKysppgjW6NpX1PcJBFRlLcfbH7uRmgfIPKHlzu-SVsYruVTcXKJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carbon County Board of Commissioners on July 3, 2025 voted to table a revised purchase‑of‑service agreement with an organization referred to in the meeting as the Impact Project. Commissioners said they want a full review by the county solicitor and revisions that make the contract specific to Carbon County before taking further action.

Commissioners said the full contract packet arrived late (an “81‑page contract” was referenced as received the previous Friday), and that not all local stakeholders named in the document had been fully informed. Commissioners expressed concern that, because the Pennsylvania state budget had not been enacted, state funding that would offset the county’s share was not guaranteed. One commissioner said the county could be “on the hook” for roughly $240,000 under current circumstances.

Commissioners asked for clarity on which agencies would carry operational responsibilities — notably the district attorney’s office, schools, magistrates, school social workers or probation officers — and on reporting and referral processes. They noted that similar programs in neighboring counties used differing legal arrangements (a memorandum of understanding with a district attorney in one county; a county contract in another), so a Carbon County agreement must be tailored to the county’s governance and signing authority. The commissioners emphasized that in Carbon County, contracts are signed by the Board of Commissioners and must reflect county‑specific terms.

The board recorded a motion to table the purchase‑of‑service agreement and asked the solicitor to review and return recommended edits; commissioners also requested a clear funding plan and a timeline for implementation and billing so the county could evaluate cash‑flow impacts. No authorization or funding commitment was made while the item is under review.

Ending
The item will return to the commissioners after solicitor review and when county staff can provide revised contract language, clarified roles for schools and other partners, and a detailed budget and billing timeline.","Carbon County commissioners on July 3 tabled a proposed purchase‑of‑service agreement for a school‑linked program (the Impact Project), citing solicitor concerns, unanswered county‑specific contract language and immediate county financial exposure given an unresolved state budget.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520647,"Carbon County commissioners approve bids, contracts and personnel changes",2777,109000,2886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5177866-96e639faa7f51f33474004115992c970&start=109&end=2886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5177866-96e639faa7f51f33474004115992c970/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6520647/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Carbon-County-commissioners-approve-bids-contracts-and-personnel-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520647-2932a4075d54f05e58b6fab5ae64aa92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161462&Signature=mw0w3uDTQYII1A6jVJoYfxHeYYgwj7vP6uWEjYNo9P6wjXjk-waEJfe2O2K5~QEeB-EhdO3otP1jPn-tKavwagBcavutCHSv0UncqrvHVAnaj06CFH8zAVxsYsXQu2l7vwbNJQDPo93rWHYBEL~pHcMKXBrgiunwInF8mXccKCSbjLAP9qD1ed6RzYUmnhl5AvxNxsoGE~cvabm0JYO~pKW3TfUwTU8Gu0ufKnTV8K~8cGiXYjQrJlbq2WMkLaPNeQnqEs7fk2MBashjKKQH23kqEC8NbrrRXE6NulxBt7Ka9C4bbDMuxuqkB13no0oaKrN-PTXb-iq5lnlCWHBZ9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carbon County Board of Commissioners on July 3, 2025 approved a series of bids, contracts, grant-related actions and personnel changes covering road work, county facilities, programs and routine expenditures.

The board voted unanimously to open and forward multiple construction bids for review and award by Planning and Development, including bids for reconstruction work on Muckchunk Road in Palmerton Borough and street improvements for Mary Ann Alley from Tunney's Tunnel Street to Old Muckchunk Road. Bids for the Muckchunk Road package ranged from about $220,549 to roughly $341,940; bids for the Mary Ann Alley package ranged from about $116,259 to roughly $194,060. The board turned those bids over for award or rejection two weeks before the next meeting.

Commissioners also approved routine fiscal and contract items across county departments, including budget transfers and multiple expenditure ratifications, renewal of a 9‑1‑1 service agreement with CK Alarms, a water‑heater replacement at the county correctional facility, replacement/repair of the courthouse Sally Port door, a proposal from CTI for court information systems, a data‑sharing agreement for GIS mapping with Luzerne County, participation in the fiscal year 2025–26 Medical Assistance Treatment (MAT) program, and authorization related to the Multimodal Transportation Fund grant (County Bridge No. 4).

Planning and Community Development items advanced as well: the board approved CDBG-related administrative steps including a Section 504 officer appointment, adoption and advertising of a Fair Housing notice, and an HUD online access request. The board also approved a cooperation/NEPA agreement related to Little Leaf Farms and ratified a resolution honoring a centenarian in Palmerton.

On personnel and salary matters, the commission recessed to the salary board, which approved several actions including a pay‑grade change for a records coordinator/indexer, establishment of a program specialist position in Children & Youth Services, abolition of an administrative assistant position, and a step increase for a county casework supervisor. The commissioners approved personnel reports for county departments and acknowledgments for courts and row offices.

One purchase‑of‑service agreement for the “impact project” (a proposed school‑linked program discussed during the meeting) was tabled for further solicitor review and clarification of county financial exposure and operational roles.

Votes at a glance (selected items): all recorded motions below were approved by the three commissioners present (recorded as “Yes” in the transcript):
- Turn bids for CDBG Palmerton Borough Muckchunk Road to Planning & Development for award/rejection (motion passed).
- Turn bids for Mary Ann Alley street improvements to Planning & Development for award/rejection (motion passed).
- Approve budget transfers and ratify multiple expenditure reports (motions passed).
- Approve and execute intergovernmental agreement for Adult Probation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (motion passed).
- Advertise ESG/public hearing for Appalachian Community Resilience and Response mini-grant program (motion passed).
- Approve revised purchase/service agreements and invoice reports for Children & Youth items (motions passed; one purchase‑of‑service agreement was tabled — see separate coverage).
- Renew CK Alarms agreement for 9‑1‑1 services (motion passed).
- Approve Sean Kresge Electrical proposal (motion passed).
- Approve correctional facility water heater replacement, courthouse Sally Port door repair, CTI court computer proposal (motions passed).
- Approve GIS data‑sharing agreement with Luzerne County (motion passed).
- Approve MAT program participation agreement for FY 2025–26 (motion passed).
- Approve, adopt and execute multimodal transportation fund grant application (motion passed).
- Approve CDBG administrative items: Section 504 officer appointment, Fair Housing notice adoption/advertising, HUD online access request (motions passed).
- Approve and authorize cooperation/NEPA agreement for Little Leaf Farms (motion passed).
- Ratify resolution honoring a 100‑year‑old resident of Palmerton (motion passed).
- Approve tax assessment refunds and related tax items (motions passed).

The meeting minutes and routine motions were recorded as approved; many items lacked extended public discussion and were handled as part of the consent/agenda process.

Ending
The board recessed for the salary board before reconvening and closed the public meeting after commissioner reports. Several agenda items were referred to Planning & Development or the county solicitor for follow‑up before final award or execution.","At its July 3, 2025 meeting the Carbon County Board of Commissioners approved multiple construction bids, contract renewals, grant actions and personnel changes, and referred several bid packages to Planning and Development for award decisions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Carbon County commissioners warn state budget impasse is straining county finances and services

Commissioners table school‑linked ‘Impact Project’ contract, seek solicitor review and county‑specific changes

Carbon County commissioners approve bids, contracts and personnel changes