Comment on Luzerne County Council chips away at 2017 budget expenses

With a week remaining before the 2017 budget adoption, Luzerne County Council members started voting on cuts late Tuesday evening. Council members must find $9.95 million in cuts or new revenue if they want to avoid a 4 percent property tax hike, a new $5 vehicle registration fee, and the permanent elimination of the homestead break for primary residences next year. After hours of debating a menu of amendments proposed by various council members, a council majority rejected across-the-board cuts of 6 percent and 4 percent as suggested by Councilwoman Kathy Dobash. Also defeated were proposals by Edward Brominski and Eileen Sorokas to eliminate 23 part-time assistant solicitors who are eligible for health benefits in exchange for fewer full-time positions. Sorokas also failed to obtain majority support for a motion to declare a “no confidence” vote in county Manager C.