[{"_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",6505499,"mediaKeyId","5676482-7afb9baaf7956bd21f30fc833de3f81e","parentId",5676482,"title","Carbon County commissioners approve routine transfers and loans amid warnings the state budget impasse threatens services","audioSeconds",728,"startMs",1381000,"endMs",2109000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5676482-7afb9baaf7956bd21f30fc833de3f81e&start=1381&end=2109","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5676482-7afb9baaf7956bd21f30fc833de3f81e/thumbnail_1381000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505499/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Carbon-County-commissioners-approve-routine-transfers-and-loans-amid-warnings-the-state-budget-impasse-threatens-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505499-8750a8e6bde4f8b8064925e3c472950f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147460&Signature=li4G3QEhcATdFwoBZ7j~SEEF4upoSOVsXp7fF8EVIlR4o10-B1x4F0sRetwkbgDYVvUyCo91pufgm7bLisoSD7F7H7HPLakRDPGTUe4Vx5fZaKQww~KoReUU5Q72Ar1JTDiKV~WKWe8Up4xoc54~LMqXgyJrmmREpDvXQ45MdeDnsretOgTFRbCrDclFM6Y2t7InJeKUQOimaFGfVOHryfhovScmYbgVXg4nygywnwT8zA~m4g-MCqbDFpLT6obyIVHCnKHrygEwuWdW3rsGATG8ojwliLuPuJVmKAVnH7R-nlx4YFUEIRwa8X4zOZ9-Mt4Zmse5N0erA-jGoIcWAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carbon County, PA","date","2025-08-21T00:00:00Z","article","Carbon County commissioners on Aug. 25 approved a series of routine financial motions — including budget transfers, payroll ratifications and a loan to Children and Youth — while using their meeting to press state leaders to resolve a stalled Pennsylvania budget that the commissioners said is forcing the county to tap reserves and threaten services.

The board approved motions to adopt budget transfers and supplemental appropriations, ratify payroll and other expenditures, approve capital-project and treasurer reports, and authorize a loan to the county Children and Youth office. Commissioners voted unanimously on the recorded motions during roll call votes.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the county relies on interest and cash reserves to bridge state funding delays, and that prolonged stalemate in Harrisburg reduces county revenue and could force service cuts or emergency borrowing. Several commissioners warned the county’s cash position already has tightened and urged residents and providers to lobby state officials.

The board’s actions, taken largely without extended debate, included an item recorded as “Loan number 2 to Children and Youth” (item 25487) that commissioners described in discussion as totaling about $1.5 million. Commissioners said payroll and program payments run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars every two weeks and that delays in state reimbursements are eroding interest income the county uses to smooth operations.

Commissioner quotes and context
- Commissioner Arner said the county has saved millions through cost cutting this year but that recent state actions have rapidly depleted those gains. “We worked six months to get where we were at and get ahead, and it’s taken them less than 60 days to get rid of it all,” he said. (roll-call discussion)
- Commissioner Notestein called the issue statewide and said the county commissioners association will press for reimbursement and additional resolutions. “Has the state stopped collecting their revenue? … they’re collecting interest,” he said, arguing that counties lose interest income when they must advance funds.
- Commissioner Sofranco warned that without a state budget the county will be forced into more short-term borrowing and that core services — including children and youth placements, aging services and drug-and-alcohol programs — could be put at risk.

Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes from the meeting)
- Item 25-4-84: Budget transfers — approved (Arner: yes; Notestein: yes; Sofranco: yes)
- Item 25-4-85: Supplemental appropriations — approved (3–0)
- Item 25-4-86: Ratify payroll expenditures — approved (3–0)
- Item 25487: Loan number 2 to Children and Youth — ratified (3–0); commissioners discussed the loan total in meeting as about $1.5 million
- Item 25-4-88: Expenditures (Aug. 14) — approved (3–0)
- Item 25489: Expenditures (Aug. 21) — approved (3–0)
- Item 25490: Capital Projects Fund approvals — approved (3–0)
- Item 25491: Treasurer’s reports — approved (3–0)
- Salary board personnel rate and position adjustments (multiple): approved (roll call recorded as yes)
- Item 25494: Bid award — Lehighton Legion Post 314 parking lot reconstruction — approved (3–0)
- Boards & authorities appointments/resignations (WIOA): reappointment and resignation actions approved/accepted (3–0)
- Item 25497: Children and Youth agreements with listed providers — approved and executed (3–0)
- Item 25498: Fourth quarter invoice report — approved (3–0)
- Item 25499: Correctional Facility proposal (Howard Refrigeration & A/C) — approved (3–0)
- Item 25500: County buildings roof replacement (McCose Brothers) — approved (3–0)
- Item 25501: Drug & Alcohol Commission loan/state budget pass impasse — motion to table for further review — tabled (3–0)
- Item 25502: Human Services — State Food Purchase Program — approved (3–0)
- Item 25503: Worker Protection Investment and Certification Form — approved (3–0)
- Item 25504: Insurance (Harry Grant) — approved/ratified (3–0)
- Item 25505: Service agreement — Rogers Clock — approved and executed (3–0)
- Gazebo and park special-activity permit requests (Josiah White Park; Machtong Lake Park and Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency permit): approved (3–0)
- Resolutions: 25-026 acknowledging St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 170th anniversary — adopted (3–0); 25-027 supporting state reimbursement of county interest payments — adopted (3–0)

Discussion vs. decision: The motions listed above were formal, recorded votes. Commissioners separately devoted substantial time to an extended discussion about the state budget stalemate and possible consequences for county operations. That discussion did not change the formal outcomes recorded on the motions but framed the board’s direction for short-term cash management.

Ending: Commissioners said they will press state legislators and the governor’s office for a faster budget resolution and that county staff are tightening discretionary spending. They encouraged residents and providers to contact their state representatives about the budget impasse.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners' Meeting 8-21-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Carbon County commissioners on Aug. 25 approved routine budget and expenditure motions, including a loan to the Children and Youth office, while warning that a stalled Pennsylvania state budget is forcing the county to tap reserves and could jeopardize services for children, seniors and other residents.","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},6505489,"County’s America250 representatives preview 2026 Liberty Bell unveiling, grants and county events",336,510000,846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5676482-7afb9baaf7956bd21f30fc833de3f81e&start=510&end=846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5676482-7afb9baaf7956bd21f30fc833de3f81e/thumbnail_510000.jpg","/articles/6505489/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Countys-America250-representatives-preview-2026-Liberty-Bell-unveiling-grants-and-county-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505489-9a8643332ecbf866cabe39f688a45a62/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147460&Signature=FXkX~9qtbNGE4ACB3j8VfyoRK4z6eIz--2oA4iowyxR9gK5l4lwMczMl5YNJpIMwH0PkFYiQVJDXCaQBS3LVEIaP2fBJ2aIIV-Hy43P2fVndIlRLRqv2Ah8wIdVt-wSWOGPFF3n-XP6fmfeH1WT44OJvcRuyKMDLedQbsVAa8FgFXT1SBKzkqWnrYjGfbIN36yxVcmXSm2d318d4ERmhuXXJkls15vJN4e5VyRZpTt1uBBUwYt6gNOaTXn7Uzi9bcUkidicTeK2nEaE5BI4Wi6yBjs0WlyobTdApbuwiOP5jGbBhCiOOdT~ZoumndUaLmj7VjjUWpN4z6bZxc3Af5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives for Carbon County’s America250 PA effort and the Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau briefed the Board of Commissioners on planning for the United States semiquincentennial in 2026, including grants, a county Liberty Bell project and countywide event coordination.

Kim Worley, the county’s appointed America250 PA advisory-board representative, said a local group won a $5,000 semiquincent grant for the Jacobs Weisport Historical Society to fund a parade and celebration in July 2026. She said the county has also secured a Liberty Bell project: a locally sponsored decorative Liberty Bell that supporters have agreed to place in Weisport Park near an existing Liberty Tree and that the bell had been delivered to a local vendor that day.

Marlon Kisner of the Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau said the visitors bureau is hosting a microsite to collect event listings and urged organizations to submit events so the county can produce a consolidated listing for 2026. He said the visitors bureau has provided a $10,000 sponsorship for the Liberty Bell project and that local artist submissions were used to create the bell’s design.

Why it matters: The semiquincentennial will be a multi-event, countywide initiative in 2026. County leaders said capturing events and building sponsorships will help communities attract visitors and coordinate celebrations across towns and organizations.

Details from the presentation
- A county semiquincent grant of $5,000 was awarded to the Jacobs Weisport Historical Society for a July 2026 parade and celebration.
- The county Liberty Bell will be unveiled in Weisport Park; the visitors bureau provided a $10,000 sponsorship for the bell.
- The visitors bureau has a microsite for event submissions and has produced handouts with submission instructions.
- Sponsorships are being sought; Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau reported a $1,500 platinum sponsorship already pledged by MCT.

Commissioners were invited to attend unveiling and photo-op events and were asked to help promote local activities and sponsorships. Steering-committee members mentioned in the presentation included Dave Serrino and Carol Etheridge; steering membership covers multiple communities in Carbon County.

Ending
Organizers said they will continue fundraising, accept event submissions on the visitors bureau microsite, and coordinate unveiling plans for the Liberty Bell and other county-wide events into 2026.","Carbon County’s America250 PA representative and the Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau updated commissioners on semiquincentennial preparations, a $5,000 county grant, a delivered Liberty Bell to be sited in Weisport Park, and sponsorship and event-planning efforts for 2026.",{"_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},6505494,"Carbon County proclaims August 2025 Child Support Enforcement Awareness Month; local office highlights program results",288,68000,356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5676482-7afb9baaf7956bd21f30fc833de3f81e&start=68&end=356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5676482-7afb9baaf7956bd21f30fc833de3f81e/thumbnail_68000.jpg","/articles/6505494/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Carbon-County-proclaims-August-2025-Child-Support-Enforcement-Awareness-Month-local-office-highlights-program-results","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505494-2e13a6cb7041b5ac3235fe21e507c607/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147460&Signature=dlhMZu-pQPsKJD0u7DyPU5hD8kZgKvH-EQXikZqkbrrP5q21eFgwA8jbdtkMZMya9KW7fX7gYjFjZOv9sB~b7okBGIS1VuLMNmMqcZm6Rz6yFX4B1ID2yYaYYriI5YkprNsNAudyU-CqwOoKKJ0Cx2v1fxHTibk5KuXHSbxY3XzsQ79lirfLvsPeASEZ5sWy5c-zmJ7EW3-~5XPS7OCACGnelHv4jStCHsQ469Q2GGreYN-Gwku40CZBi-4wXtDo8CBoIAfhPJ0xvCqT2sVqFNlUd5W2TNtZuoWSxMnNsVqMuQQ5cbJqFBGVTTWdhKjlRAZUp-Uns-aStPvS7y740A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carbon County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 25 adopted Proclamation No. 2025-010 designating August 2025 as Child Support Enforcement Awareness Month in Carbon County and recognizing the 50th anniversary of the federal Title IV-D child support enforcement program.

The board voted to adopt the proclamation by roll call and invited the county domestic relations director to address the meeting. The director, identified in the meeting as Marla, summarized the office’s recent work and statewide context.

Why it matters: County officials said the domestic relations office helps establish parentage, enforce child support orders and provide resources for families. The director presented local figures showing the office’s role in supporting custodial parents and children in Carbon County.

What the director said
Marla, Director of the Carbon County Domestic Relations Office, told the commissioners the 50th anniversary highlights the program’s sustained role. She said that in federal fiscal year 2024 the Pennsylvania child support enforcement program distributed $1,100,000,000 to custodial parents statewide, served more than 270,000 families and established parentage for over 40,000 children. She further said Carbon County’s domestic relations office has \"established child support actions for over 2,000 custodial parents and collected over $36,000,000 for families\" in the past five years and that her office’s current-collection rate is about 83 percent — above the national average cited in the proclamation.

The commission and attendees thanked staff and praised a recent community outreach event the office organized that offered a free swim day for children 18 and under.

Formal action
- Motion to adopt Proclamation No. 2025-010 (Child Support Enforcement Awareness Month) — adopted by roll call: Commissioner Arner: yes; Commissioner Notestein: yes; Commissioner Sofranco: yes.

Ending
The commissioners encouraged residents to recognize child support enforcement’s role in family stability and to note the domestic relations office’s outreach efforts this year.

","The Board of Commissioners adopted Proclamation 2025-010 naming August 2025 Child Support Enforcement Awareness Month in Carbon County. The domestic relations director described local program outcomes, including several thousand case actions and tens of millions collected for families over recent years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Carbon County commissioners approve routine transfers and loans amid warnings the state budget impasse threatens services

County’s America250 representatives preview 2026 Liberty Bell unveiling, grants and county events

Carbon County proclaims August 2025 Child Support Enforcement Awareness Month; local office highlights program results