CLEARFIELD – On Tuesday the Clearfield County Commissioners held a press conference after their regular meeting to discuss how the current budget impasse is affecting county government, and to call legislators back to Harrisburg.
This press conference came shortly after the commissioners, in a 2-1 vote, approved a hiring freeze on county employees until Oct. 1.
Commissioner Chair Joan Robinson-McMillen read from prepared statement to begin the press conference and the commissioners fielded questions after that.
McMillen stated that 10-15 percent of the county’s budget comes from state dollars. County departments that directly receive state money for services or salary include: HazMat; Children, Youth and Family Services; Victim-Witness; District Attorney; Juvenile Probation; courts; and planning. Also included are joint services with Jefferson County through Drug and Alcohol and MH/MR.
McMillen said the probation department has two school-based officers that are state-funded though grants. The county receives over $100,000 in court-related services and also receives over $154,000 in state funds in lieu of taxes.
She said that CYS alone receives about $2 million in services from the state, which is a match of anywhere from 60/40 to 95/5, depending on the service. Seventy percent of the Juvenile Victim-Witness coordinator’s salary comes from the state.
“What we have heard is that it will not be in the budge when it passes,” stated McMillen.
She also said that the state has mandated that counties have full-time district attorneys and that the state shall pay 60 percent of the set salary. To date, Clearfield County has not received money from 2008 or 2009 from the state.
According to the commissioners, the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania is readying a lawsuit in the event that that money is not in the upcoming budget. According to the commissioners they had considered a suit against the state on their own, but believe they will be stronger if they go at it with CCAP.
McCracken also said that outside-contracted service providers for departments like CYS have been notified that payments will be withheld until the state passes its budget.
“The consequences of not funding state mandates and sticking Clearfield County with the bill will be financially devastating,” said McMillen.
She said that many small non-profits that deliver vital services to the community are virtually in jeopardy of closing if the budget is not soon passed. Commissioner John Sobel pointed to the Drug/Alcohol Commission, stating that they are facing problems due to the budget impasse.
He said that nothing destroys families or men’s and women’s souls like drug addiction.
“How can we put together a fiscally responsible 2010 budget when the state doesn’t,” said McMillen.
McCracken said in a prior budget impasse, the state government had a surplus of funds to fall back on. This time, it doesn’t.
“We need to know what they’re going to cut,” said McCracken.
“Our economy dictates that state government, like families and job creators, tighten its belt,” said McMillen. “Responsible budget proposals have been put forth that hold the line on taxes and make responsible cuts in spending while still allowing adequate funding for vital program, including public education. Absent the serious consideration they deserve, the budget stalemate continues, with inadequate funding jeopardizing county government.
“I call on our state legislators to return to Harrisburg and deliver a balanced budget with smaller government. Rethink the budget line by line, funding services that will make a difference in a taxpayer’s life, not a wish list of special interest of feel good spending.
“We will continue to work on keeping Clearfield County fiscally responsible and hold the state to funding their mandates … I ask each of you to contact your state reps. and senator to voice your concerns about budget.”
“The officials need to be in Harrisburg,” said Sobel. “The government is there to serve the people.”