1 week Ago By Michael P. Buffer
WILKES-BARRE — The draft proposal to revise the Luzerne County Home Rule Charter would limit the judiciary’s ability to transfer budgeted funds to increase salaries and create jobs, according to a motion approved 6-1 by the county government study commission. The commission motion approved Thursday amended an initial proposal tabled last Thursday. The amended motion would give some flexibility to county council to authorize judicial transfers of budgeted funds to increase salaries or create new jobs.
Tim McGinley, a study commission member and former county councilman, voted against the motion. A limit on judicial power to transfer budgeted funds could end up being litigated in court, McGinley has said. The study Commission is drafting a revised charter to go on the November general election ballot for voters to approve or reject.
The motion to limit the judiciary’s ability to transfer funds also would affect the powers of the county controller and district attorney. The commission also voted 6-1 to approve an overall proposal to amend the charter article on budget and finance. McGinley voted against that motion too.
Voters approved a referendum to establish the study commission in April 2024 and also elected the seven commission members. The current charter took full effect in 2012 and was approved by voters in 2010. Also at Thursday’s meeting, the study commission decided to keep a charter requirement for an ethics code but did not decide if the revised charter should keep the requirement for an ethics commission to enforce the ethics code.
A proposal to give county council the ability to keep or abolish county Accountability, Conduct and Ethics Commission was included in an agenda package. But the commission didn’t vote on that proposal after a lengthy discussion. Lynne Shedlock, a consultant for the study commission, plans to conduct research to see how other counties in the state enforce their ethics codes.
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