[{"_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",6429302,"mediaKeyId","5899845-a27dc7fd79a5f17093ac8a917af877eb","parentId",5899845,"title","Commissioners say reassessment cannot be delayed as residents press for re-notification and appeal time","audioSeconds",520,"startMs",2110000,"endMs",2630000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5899845-a27dc7fd79a5f17093ac8a917af877eb&start=2110&end=2630","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5899845-a27dc7fd79a5f17093ac8a917af877eb/thumbnail_2110000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6429302/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Commissioners-say-reassessment-cannot-be-delayed-as-residents-press-for-re-notification-and-appeal-time","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429302-a54613d74ec41441d56972e5e48602d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776227204&Signature=TUwGHi9y~DuVbHLHUXkSufpEGtakdUtPH8p7gB80GWMO0gXQ1~o3l6dGpihAIkZ2h8EbE3ScP756DPzFaAT16-ptyf3nInEw5puu2qlWuTTx2ZHB93MkofkRNfZVjXLErqa63ep1PjuXtqiO~Y6z83B8exf7qqjw16jLabM8-8fhrVp-VpoyDhuFZC90DLy1cHMH4UlU8f7kakzibcKtiT8zjZstsAy5aODUsyhpGo6M0bPcgS61DgQ~26JUGzZmMtTWiXvJ3nakomp5JfgpDgugmYmMA6lItfSMhpxZ5WUpIKUZeCzzk3~smPDiXX5yQOia5vzyfufS60Tc~Pijjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lackawanna County, PA","date","2025-10-03T16:37:16Z","article","Residents at the Oct. 1 Lackawanna County commissioners meeting pressed the board for more time and clearer notices on a countywide property reassessment; commissioners and county staff responded that the assessment office must certify values by Nov. 15 and that legal and operational constraints make a delay infeasible.

Multiple residents raised concerns during public comment about notice content and the ability to appeal. Michelle Tierney of Glenburn Township asked whether an upcoming Penn State Extension forum on Oct. 15 was being broadly advertised; she then praised the commissioners’ efforts to secure a special election for a vacant seat and asked whether there was “a final date that the reassessed values of homes need to be sent in?” Chair Bill Gahan (as identified in the meeting) responded: “November 15. It needs to be certified by November 15.”

Other public speakers urged the board to reconsider the reassessment timeline. A resident, Bob Bull of Scranton, and other commenters also raised unrelated concerns about hospital ownership, PTSD services and tax assessments during public comment; Joan Hodowanitz asked whether the draft county budget would be released on Oct. 15 and whether the newly elected commissioner could be sworn in before budget or reassessment deadlines.

Commissioner remarks and staff clarifications

Commissioner (identified in transcript as) Chermack urged accuracy and proposed options to reduce community confusion—suggesting re‑mailing corrected notices that would list both current and new assessed values plus an estimate of the tax impact, and offering a three‑month additional appeal window for properties that might see increases. He said some hearing panels were finding high rates of incorrect assessments among appealed parcels and argued that additional notice and time would reduce litigation risk.

Chair Bill Gahan and county staff answered that the assessment office, led by Pat Tobin, must certify the values by Nov. 15 and that the county lacks a practical mechanism to delay implementation. Gahan cited court orders and operational constraints, saying a six‑month delay would cause “chaos” and likely require re‑hiring contractor services and additional expense. He also cited guidance from reassessment professionals who warned against issuing tax‑impact estimates when the base year for valuations exceeds 30 years and when a county anticipates large changes in commercial/industrial (C&I) property values. Gahan said: “This is why the law doesn't require tax impact estimates and why many counties don't choose to do it.”

County staff and the director of assessment (Pat Tobin) were quoted in the meeting explaining that a delay could reopen litigation, result in outdated valuations, and require additional contract work to implement. No formal motion to delay certification or otherwise alter the timeline was recorded in the meeting minutes.

What the meeting changed

No formal action to delay or extend reassessment deadlines was taken. Commissioners reiterated that certification remains the assessment office’s statutory responsibility and that the Nov. 15 certification deadline stands. Commissioners encouraged residents with questions to attend scheduled briefings: a public presentation by financial advisers PFM was announced for Monday, Oct. 6 at noon in the commissioners' boardroom; county staff also outlined upcoming opportunities to appeal and resources such as payment plans and existing property tax relief programs (homestead exclusion, clean and green, veterans exemptions) that the county’s website lists.

The discussion highlighted tension between resident concerns about notice clarity and the county’s position that state legal deadlines and previous court actions limit the board's ability to delay implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lackawanna County Commissioners 10 1 25","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters asked the Lackawanna County commissioners to delay or reissue reassessment notices; commissioners said state and court requirements make delay impractical and that assessment values must be certified by Nov. 15.","taxTitle","Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania","taxId",2940,"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},6429306,"Lackawanna County commissioners approve payables, contracts and multiple grants; several administrative appointments confirmed",849,655000,1504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5899845-a27dc7fd79a5f17093ac8a917af877eb&start=655&end=1504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5899845-a27dc7fd79a5f17093ac8a917af877eb/thumbnail_655000.jpg","/articles/6429306/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Lackawanna-County-commissioners-approve-payables-contracts-and-multiple-grants-several-administrative-appointments-confirmed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429306-d3116d2e869d1fefc58428815387ab82/orig.mp4?Expires=1776227204&Signature=Z6-ecWoCR8w2OTMb8joManXuHuhHd5yWMFYfh~EDmnXV3~wtnpCvhWhm2Q~Zx~ov34N4ZoPmJ2TPeHF2-~0DkhxQvjNZUhDXlKQtw3Gv-4wj1fptfJfYgjGwg~t9KCLEvDlWAzlsbe4IALjai2JDfPA84gTZNNJstkQc5Hcd2nNx7TPbL8T07xpKHNG0gZ74HixBINq1JOzLJ9Ek6KvIhd6mZPET5EQdlRc3rpQfJey8Bu9-~8IuoAGNX3pqCZs-jF5itzbtYPLmWKCepg6LZqQmph16EhKKRVrldFV2NQD8At4wyReEKxyK5GZRA3ktMDDL8pc1o61juDGUpm1yvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 1 approved a series of resolutions covering vendor payables, short-term consulting, laboratory services, grant agreements and administrative appointments.

The board approved county payables and electronic fund transfers; enacted a three-month consulting services agreement to provide part-time accounting support for the controller's office; ratified a toxicology testing services agreement for the district attorney's office; accepted multiple youth- and family-service contract addenda and memoranda of understanding; entered a state grant agreement for the area agency on aging; and approved a financing resolution supporting Redevelopment Authority issuance of tax‑exempt revenue notes for the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System. The board also authorized submission of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application and designated county staff to serve as the county’s fair housing officer and Section 3 compliance officer to maintain HUD funding eligibility.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25‑0236 (payables): Approved. County general fund payables (numbers listed in the resolution) totaling $2,760,187.70 and electronic fund transfers (including payroll) totaling $3,956,540.29 were approved as presented.

- Resolution 25‑0230 (consulting services): Approved. The board approved a three‑month consulting services agreement with Reginald H. Mariani (\"Reggie Mariani\") at $100 per hour to assist the controller's office following the deputy controller's retirement. Controller Gary DeBiglio briefed the board; he said the contract is part‑time and “no cost to the county” relative to negatively affecting the budget and that the office remains open to interviewing accountants with auditing experience.

- Resolution 25‑0230 (naming collision in packet; consulting item recorded): Approved (same action above listed in packet).

- Resolution 25‑0230-series (Northern Tier Research support services for toxicology): Approved. The board ratified a support services agreement between Lackawanna County (District Attorney's Office) and Northern Tier Research for toxicology testing for calendar year 2026 (term 01/01/2026–12/31/2026). District Attorney administrative officer Brian Finnerty presented the request.

- Resolution 25‑0231 (Adopt-an-Angel MOU): Approved. A memorandum of understanding with the nonprofit Outreach Center for the county Adopt‑an‑Angel program was approved; the MOU runs 10/15/2025–01/31/2026 and the not‑to‑exceed amount from community donations was stated as $2,585.

- Resolution 25‑0232 (University of Pittsburgh Child Welfare agreement): Approved. A training agreement was approved to allow an agency employee (Elizabeth Maros) to pursue a master's degree through the University of Pittsburgh Child Welfare Education for Leadership program while continuing employment at the Department of Human Services Office of Youth and Family Services.

- Resolution 25‑0233 (Outreach contract addendum — Office of Youth and Family Services): Approved. An addendum adds family‑finding services to the outreach contract at no additional county cost but adjusts monthly flat and reimbursable fees; the total contracted maximum remains $859,311.59 as presented by Director Carrie Browning.

- Resolution 25‑0234 (Area Agency on Aging grant): Approved. The board entered into the older adult services grant agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging; the State Department awards program funding to Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging in the amount of $3,671,853 for the state fiscal year 2025–2026. Director Sarah McDonald presented the item.

- Resolution 25‑0235 (Redevelopment Authority financing for Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System): Approved. The board adopted a resolution declaring it desirable that the Redevelopment Authority finance certain projects for the Diocese’s Catholic School System and that the authority may issue tax‑exempt revenue notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $8,250,000. County counsel Brian Kozlinski said the action is a tax code requirement and reiterated it creates no county obligation to repay the notes.

- Resolution 25‑0241 (Edge Insights agreement): Approved. A one‑year agreement with Edge Insights for waste cost management analytics was approved; the board was told the proposed renewal is fee‑based at $5,400 annually and allows 30‑day extensions. CFO David Bozzone presented the terms and described prior savings‑based compensation that expired in October 2025.

- Resolution 25‑0242 (Waste Management contract extension): Approved. The board approved a one‑year extension with Waste Management for county facility hauling services (excluding the government center) at a proposed cost of $118,761.48 for the year; the CFO said the amount represents an increase from the current contract and that the county will need to bid the service in 2026.

- Resolution 25‑0237 (CDBG application authorization): Approved. The board authorized the community development manager to prepare and submit a Community Development Block Grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for fiscal year 2025 funding; director Kristen Magnotta noted the application is due in October and that the county’s citizen participation process informed the plan.

- Resolution 25‑0238 (Fair housing officer designation): Approved. The board designated the county community development manager as Lackawanna County’s fair housing officer to assist persons alleging housing discrimination and to ensure HUD compliance.

- Resolution 25‑0239 (Section 3 compliance officer): Approved. The board designated the department’s labor compliance officer as the county’s Section 3 compliance officer, responsible for implementing and monitoring Section 3 requirements tied to HUD‑funded programs.

- Resolution 25‑0240 (Workforce Development Board appointment): Approved. Carlo Carlucci (director, Community Technology Center of Lackawanna County) was reappointed to the county Workforce Development Board for a term commencing 10/01/2025 through 09/30/2028.

Several items were introduced by county staff and department directors; most motions were moved, seconded and passed by voice vote with no roll‑call tallies recorded in the meeting minutes. No failed votes were reported during the Oct. 1 meeting.","At their Oct. 1 meeting the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of resolutions including payables, consulting and service agreements, grant awards and administrative appointments; the meeting also authorized a CDBG application and compliance designations required for HUD funding.",{"_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},6429298,"Penn State Extension introduces new Lackawanna 4‑H educator and upcoming programs",302,337000,639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5899845-a27dc7fd79a5f17093ac8a917af877eb&start=337&end=639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5899845-a27dc7fd79a5f17093ac8a917af877eb/thumbnail_337000.jpg","/articles/6429298/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Penn-State-Extension-introduces-new-Lackawanna-4H-educator-and-upcoming-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429298-2ea39e2a84f6497a7c0677924f18bfd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776227204&Signature=i7zB2-3vz5jAZ9qF6zkurF5vgv4TmHSwVvW~9nZIp15XJI27hnYAM8ZjYzJvggjO4yw4Am6KV8xiKtwldUQo1xcKCQnP2QfA0fIuMn92pb4CMhXLP6x-i66UomVeyX2SF0dbC6xtMGeGSc15qxDLNUlSlNrEslU92ZWMW4O2axH6IyG1Wk1h5YYW-CmNbRxJkFG16dhSlrjn7yeRemIysq0Dto3u21KMAob2gQ9cAkQw14hyxWpjBHjbaG343ZL6wgP2UHjUXSwiyxYFf-hct075NhPirtruXcRkigicQBQVsTZCaJNfTPNFrdi6GK3KH1nZV70OZtuJq29c0EeAag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from Penn State Extension briefed the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 1, highlighted recent outreach in the county and introduced Kristin Armstrong as the county’s new 4‑H educator.

Jennifer (identified as client relationship manager, Penn State Extension) told commissioners that a recent Penn State Extension event on Sept. 16 drew roughly 75–100 visitors to the county lobby and showcased master gardeners, watershed stewards, nutrition links and 4‑H programming. She promoted a live webinar, “Kinship Family Forum: Helping Families Thrive,” scheduled for Oct. 15; the webinar requires preregistration at extension.psu.edu.

Kristin Armstrong, the newly hired Lackawanna County 4‑H educator, said she began the role three weeks prior to Oct. 1 and described partnerships already underway, including programming with Johnson's College and library systems. Armstrong said planned activities include a multi‑county 4‑H Olympics to reduce travel burdens for families, a carpentry club, a plant club at the Abington Community Library and a new My P.I. program being developed for first responders in coordination with Carbondale officials.

Armstrong described 4‑H as offering alternatives to traditional sports and arts programming that expose youth to STEM, horticulture, agriculture and life skills training. She told the board: “If you give to the community, the community will give back to you,” and said Penn State Extension aims to strengthen partnerships across the county to expand access to 4‑H offerings.

Commissioners thanked the extension representatives and previewed the county’s role in hosting and promoting local educational programs.","Penn State Extension representatives told county commissioners about recent outreach, a kinship webinar on Oct. 15, and introduced Kristin Armstrong as the new Lackawanna County 4‑H educator, outlining partnerships and upcoming youth programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners say reassessment cannot be delayed as residents press for re-notification and appeal time

Lackawanna County commissioners approve payables, contracts and multiple grants; several administrative appointments confirmed

Penn State Extension introduces new Lackawanna 4‑H educator and upcoming programs