Dallas City News

A proposal to earmark $3.1 million of Luzerne County’s federal American Rescue Plan Act interest earnings to repair two county bridges was removed from this week’s council voting agenda.

County Councilman Jimmy Sabatino, who pushed for the allocation, asked his colleagues to delay a vote at the request of the administration.

When Councilwoman LeeAnn McDermott asked for more explanation, Sabatino said the administration wants more time to solidify the proposed 2025 budget before the interest earnings are obligated.

Sabatino’s proposed package also included a vote to commit all American Rescue interest earnings remaining after the bridges are funded to avoid a 2025 county tax increase.

The county currently has approximately $4.5 million in interest earnings, which would leave at least $1.4 million toward next year’s budget.

The proposed 2025 budget is scheduled for introduction at council’s Oct. 8 meeting.

County Manager Romilda Crocamo has said she won’t be requesting a real estate tax increase for 2025 and has advised managers to freeze spending requests.

Sabatino said he will request a council vote on the American Rescue interest package at the Oct. 8 meeting.

“I still feel the bridges are worthwhile projects, but the teamwork we have established between council and the administration motivated me to give them a little extra time,” he said.

A council majority agreed to hold off on a decision.

The stone arch Harris Hill Road Bridge and steel truss Sleepy Hollow Bridge were recommended because their closure has negatively impacted traffic patterns in their areas.

The Sleepy Hollow Bridge was added to the state’s Transportation Improvement Plan for future funding, which means construction must wait until 2027 unless other funding is identified.

Legal settlement

A council majority voted Tuesday to approve a pending litigation settlement with Lawrence Kansky.

According to the agenda, Kansky filed a complaint against the county in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania alleging his license to carry firearms permit was unlawfully revoked and/or wrongly not reinstated in violation of his constitutional rights.

The county sheriff’s department revoked Kansky’s permit following a criminal arrest and did not reinstate the permit after the criminal charges against him were ultimately dismissed, the agenda said.

The settlement is $15,000 plus fees associated with reinstatement of the permit, it said. Kansky may apply for his permit, which will be issued only upon approval by the state, it said.

Grant award

Introduction of a budget amendment was on Tuesday’s agenda because the county has received a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Project LAUNCH grant awarding $800,000 annually for five years, or a total $4 million.

County Mental Health/Developmental Services Administrator Tara Fox told council the highly competitive grant will allow her agency to focus more on services for children up to 8 years old facing significant challenges due to poverty, including struggles obtaining food, clothing, shelter and other basic necessities.

“Many of these families also experience social isolation and trauma, further exacerbating the difficulties in addressing their children’s social and emotional needs,” Fox said.

The grant funding will be used to comprehensively address their social, emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral development, she said.

“You can’t fix one of those components without addressing all of them,” Fox said.

Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.